Cool MateCheck vs Look into that
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Check
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
Look into that
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Check
| Check | Look into that | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/tʃek/","/tʃeks/","/tʃekt/","/ˈtʃekɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/tʃek/","/tʃeks/","/tʃekt/","/ˈtʃekɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //lʊk ˈɪntuː ðæt//🇺🇸 //lʊk ˈɪntu ðæt// |
| Meaning | To look at something to see if it's correct or okay. | Check or investigate that. |
| Example | Please check your answers before submitting the test. | Can you look into that problem we discussed earlier? |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | - |
| Part of speech | 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 | look into details, look into options, look into issues, look into solutions, look into reports |
| Antonyms | ignore, disregard | - |
| 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 'look over' which implies a quick examination., Using 'look into that' when discussing physical objects rather than abstract issues., Incorrectly implying a casual mindset when suggesting research. |
| 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.' | Used in both spoken and written English to suggest examining something. It's generally polite and appropriate in various contexts, but may sound informal in a very formal setting. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Check vs Look into that
What's the difference between Check and Look into that?
Check: To look at something to see if it's correct or okay. Look into that: Check or investigate that.
Which is more common: Check and Look into that?
Check is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Check: Please check your answers before submitting the test. Look into that: Can you look into that problem we discussed earlier?
Can I use Check and Look into that interchangeably?
Not always. Check and Look into that 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.