Could look at his lungs vs Examine

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Could look at his lungs

Beyond 10,000 (less common)

Examine

Top 2,000 (common)B1verb
Most common: Examine
 Could look at his lungsExamine
Pronunciation🇬🇧 //kəd lʊk æt hɪz lʌŋz//🇺🇸 //kʊd lʊk æt hɪz lʌŋz//🇬🇧 /["/ɪɡˈzæmɪn/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnz/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnd/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪɡˈzæmɪn/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnz/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnd/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnɪŋ/"]/
MeaningTo examine or check his lungs in detail.to look at something carefully to learn more about it
ExampleThe doctor suggested we could look at his lungs during the check-up.The doctor will examine your health thoroughly during the check-up.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonBeyond 10,000 (less common)Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR level-B1
Part of speechverb
Collocationslook at, check lungs, examine lungs, lungs health, lung examinationcarefully, 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…
Antonyms-ignore, overlook, neglect
Common mistakesUsing 'look' instead of 'look at' without preposition., Misunderstanding the context; it's not casual slang., Confusing 'lungs' with 'lungses', which is incorrect.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.
Usage notesTypically used in medical contexts, when discussing health or diagnoses. It's more appropriate in serious discussions rather than casual conversation.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.

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Could look at his lungs

Frequently asked questions: Could look at his lungs vs Examine

What's the difference between Could look at his lungs and Examine?

Could look at his lungs: To examine or check his lungs in detail. Examine: to look at something carefully to learn more about it

Which is more common: Could look at his lungs and Examine?

Examine is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Could look at his lungs: The doctor suggested we could look at his lungs during the check-up. Examine: The doctor will examine your health thoroughly during the check-up.

Can I use Could look at his lungs and Examine interchangeably?

Not always. Could look at his lungs and Examine 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.

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