Cool MateCheck vs Confirm vs Examine vs Review vs Verify
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Check
Confirm
Examine
Review
Verify
| Check | Confirm | Examine | Review | Verify | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/tʃek/","/tʃeks/","/tʃekt/","/ˈtʃekɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/tʃek/","/tʃeks/","/tʃekt/","/ˈtʃekɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //kənˈfɜːm//🇺🇸 //kənˈfɜrm// | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪɡˈzæmɪn/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnz/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnd/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪɡˈzæmɪn/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnz/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnd/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈvjuː/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈvjuː/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈverɪfaɪ//🇺🇸 //ˈvɛrəˌfaɪ// |
| Meaning | To look at something to see if it's correct or okay. | To say that something is true or to make sure of it. | to look at something carefully to learn more about it | To look at something again to check or evaluate it. | To check if something is true or correct. |
| Example | Please check your answers before submitting the test. | Can you confirm the time for the meeting tomorrow? | The doctor will examine your health thoroughly during the check-up. | I wrote a review of the new restaurant that just opened. | The accountant will verify all financial statements before the audit. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Formal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | B1 | B1 | A2 | C1 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb | verb | noun | verb |
| Collocations | always, daily, periodically, had better, must, need to, against, for, with, be worth checking, check to see if, check to see whether, always, daily, periodically, had better, must, need to, against, for, with, be worth checking, check to see if, check to see whether, simply, mentally, off | confirm a reservation, confirm an appointment, confirm information, confirm a hypothesis, confirm results | carefully, closely, in detail, aim to, attempt to, be designed to, for, let us examine…, carefully, closely, in detail, aim to, attempt to, be designed to, for, let us examine… | enthusiastic, excellent, favourable/favorable, do, write, give something, appear, copy, article, do, class, session, materials, review for, careful, complete, comprehensive, ask for, call for, seek, take place, cover something, deal with something, board, body, committee, under review, up for review, review by | verify information, verify results, verify identity |
| Antonyms | ignore, disregard | deny, disprove, reject | ignore, overlook, neglect | ignore, overlook | falsify, disprove, reject |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'cheque' in British English., Using 'check' as a noun without proper context., Incorrectly conjugating 'check' in the past tense. | Confused with 'affirm' which is more formal., Using 'confirm' without an object in sentences., Incorrectly assuming 'confirmed' is always followed by a date. | Confused with 'inspect' — 'examine' is broader than just checking for flaws., Misusing the tense — should use 'examined' for past actions, not 'examine'., Incorrect prepositions — do not say 'examine to' but 'examine for' in some contexts. | Using 'review' as a noun and verb without context (needs clear subject or object)., Confusing 'review' with 'revise' (review is for checking, revise is for changing)., Saying 'make a review' instead of 'write a review.' | Confused with 'verify' as a noun, should only be used as a verb., Using 'verify' with incorrect prepositions, e.g., 'verify to' instead of 'verify against'. |
| Usage notes | Used in various contexts such as checking information, verifying facts, or inspecting items. Avoid using in very formal writing; instead, opt for 'verify' or 'inspect.' | Use 'confirm' in both formal and informal contexts, such as meetings or casual conversations. It's appropriate when verifying information or giving approval. | Use 'examine' in formal contexts like academic writing or professional discussions. It may sound out of place in casual conversations, where 'look at' might be preferred. | Use 'review' in both formal and informal contexts, like schoolwork or feedback on a product. Avoid using it in casual conversation unless discussing specific topics. | Used in formal contexts, especially in legal, academic, or technical settings. Not common in everyday conversation. |
Frequently asked questions: Check vs Confirm vs Examine vs Review vs Verify
What's the difference between Check, Confirm, Examine, Review, and Verify?
Check: To look at something to see if it's correct or okay. Confirm: To say that something is true or to make sure of it. Examine: to look at something carefully to learn more about it Review: To look at something again to check or evaluate it. Verify: To check if something is true or correct.
Which is more formal: Check, Confirm, Examine, Review, and Verify?
Verify is the most formal of these.
Which is more advanced: Check, Confirm, Examine, Review, and Verify?
Verify is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Check, Confirm, Examine, Review, and Verify the same CEFR level?
Check: A1, Confirm: B1, Examine: B1, Review: A2, Verify: C1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Check, Confirm, Examine, Review, and Verify?
Check: verb, Confirm: verb, Examine: verb, Review: noun, Verify: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Check: Please check your answers before submitting the test. Confirm: Can you confirm the time for the meeting tomorrow? Examine: The doctor will examine your health thoroughly during the check-up. Review: I wrote a review of the new restaurant that just opened. Verify: The accountant will verify all financial statements before the audit.
Can I use Check, Confirm, Examine, Review, and Verify interchangeably?
Not always. Check, Confirm, Examine, Review, and Verify are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.