while examining the

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "while examining the" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a process of investigation, analysis, or observation regarding a specific subject or object. Example: "While examining the data, we discovered several trends that were previously unnoticed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Clearly hypotonic," another doctor said while examining the baby girl.

The New York Times - Health

While examining the walrus, aquarium officials could hear the difficulty he was having with his lungs.

The New York Times

"I am 911," he says while examining the wound he just inflicted.

The New York Times - Arts

He was so exhausted that he nodded off while examining the race stats, inside.

The New Yorker

While examining the woman, the doctor saw her circumcised genitals and called other doctors to look.

The New York Times - Health

They stumbled on Mr. Sharp while examining the Serbian movement Otpor, which he had influenced.

The New York Times

He told police he fired the fatal shot accidentally while examining the ranger's gun after finding it under a bench on Pier 14.

The Guardian

Overview of Lesson Plan: In this lesson, students explore the concept of theories in science while examining the theory of evolution.

The New York Times

Malkovich, Malkovich, Malkovich became a way to pay homage, to say thank you to the greats while examining the ways in which images resonate.

The Guardian - Film

A new book, Moving Histories of Class and Community, debunks these myths while examining the deep attachment to place shown by residents of three Norwich estates.

The Guardian

While examining the patient, Dr. Aggrawal counseled the man and his staff, "Learn something new every day and be wiser today than yesterday".

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "while examining the", ensure the sentence clearly indicates who is performing the examination and what they are examining. Clarity is key to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid placing "while examining the" too far from the subject performing the action. This can lead to confusion about who is doing the examining. For instance, instead of "The report was filed, while examining the data", write "While examining the data, the analyst filed the report".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "while examining the" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing an adverbial clause of time. It modifies the main clause by specifying when the action described in that clause occurs. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, where it consistently introduces a concurrent action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

59%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "while examining the" is a grammatically correct and very common prepositional phrase used to introduce an adverbial clause of time, indicating a simultaneous action. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is appropriate for use in various contexts, ranging from formal scientific writing to neutral news reporting. Although generally neutral, it can be replaced with more formal alternatives like "during the examination of" for a more professional tone. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by placing it close to the subject performing the action and avoiding misplaced modifiers to prevent ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during the examination of

Replaces "while examining" with a more formal, noun-based structure, emphasizing the act of examination itself.

upon inspecting the

Implies a more immediate or direct observation than "examining", suggesting a quick review.

in the process of analyzing the

Focuses on the analytical aspect of the examination, highlighting a deeper level of investigation.

as we investigated the

Changes the phrase to a first-person narrative, describing the act of investigation.

when scrutinizing the

Suggests a more critical and detailed examination, emphasizing careful observation.

considering the

Indicates a thoughtful review and evaluation of something.

in studying the

Highlights the academic or research-oriented aspect of the examination.

observing the

Focuses on the act of observing, often implying a scientific or detached perspective.

assessing the

Emphasizes evaluation and judgment as part of the examination process.

reviewing the

Implies a formal or systematic check of something.

FAQs

How can I use "while examining the" in a sentence?

Use "while examining the" to introduce a clause that describes an action happening concurrently with the main clause. For example, "While examining the patient, the doctor noticed a rash".

What are some alternatives to "while examining the"?

You can use alternatives such as "during the examination of", "upon inspecting the", or "in the process of analyzing the", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "while examining the" or "during the examination of" in formal writing?

"During the examination of" is generally considered more formal than "while examining the". Choose the phrase that best fits the overall tone and style of your writing.

What is the difference between "while examining the" and "after examining the"?

"While examining the" indicates that the action of examining and the subsequent action occur simultaneously or overlap. "After examining the" indicates that the examination is completed before the subsequent action takes place.