Cool MateExamine vs Go through vs Inspect vs Review
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Examine
Top 2,000 (common)B1verb
Go through
Top 1,000 (very common)
Inspect
Top 2,000 (common)C1verb
Review
Top 1,000 (very common)A2noun
| Examine | Go through | Inspect | Review | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪɡˈzæmɪn/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnz/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnd/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪɡˈzæmɪn/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnz/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnd/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ɡoʊ θruː//🇺🇸 //ɡoʊ θru// | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈspekt/","/ɪnˈspekts/","/ɪnˈspektɪd/","/ɪnˈspektɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪnˈspekt/","/ɪnˈspekts/","/ɪnˈspektɪd/","/ɪnˈspektɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈvjuː/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈvjuː/"]/ |
| Meaning | to look at something carefully to learn more about it | to examine or check something carefully | To look at something carefully to learn more about it. | To look at something again to check or evaluate it. |
| Example | The doctor will examine your health thoroughly during the check-up. | I need to go through the reports before the meeting. | The teacher walked around inspecting their work. | I wrote a review of the new restaurant that just opened. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | - | C1 | A2 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb | noun | |
| Collocations | 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… | go through the motions, go through a process, go through changes | carefully, closely, thoroughly, allow somebody to, be entitled to, for, carefully, closely, thoroughly, allow somebody to, be entitled to, for | 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 |
| Antonyms | ignore, overlook, neglect | ignore, overlook, bypass | ignore, overlook, neglect | ignore, overlook |
| Common mistakes | 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. | 'Go through' confused with 'pass through', which means to move through something quickly., Using 'go through' without an object, as it usually requires one., Incorrectly separating the phrase, e.g., 'go' and 'through'. | 'Inspect' is often confused with 'expect', leading to incorrect use., 'Inspect' is sometimes misused as a noun; it's only a verb., Learners might forget to use an object with 'inspect'. | 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.' |
| Usage notes | 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. | Used in various contexts like reviewing documents, inspecting items, or experiencing challenges. Avoid in highly formal writing. | Use 'inspect' when examining objects, processes, or situations closely. More formal than 'look at'. Avoid in casual conversations where simpler words like 'check out' or 'look' are more common. | 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. |
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Frequently asked questions: Examine vs Go through vs Inspect vs Review
What's the difference between Examine, Go through, Inspect, and Review?
Examine: to look at something carefully to learn more about it Go through: to examine or check something carefully Inspect: To look at something carefully to learn more about it. Review: To look at something again to check or evaluate it.
Which is more advanced: Examine, Go through, Inspect, and Review?
Inspect is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
Examine: The doctor will examine your health thoroughly during the check-up. Go through: I need to go through the reports before the meeting. Inspect: The teacher walked around inspecting their work. Review: I wrote a review of the new restaurant that just opened.
Can I use Examine, Go through, Inspect, and Review interchangeably?
Not always. Examine, Go through, Inspect, and Review 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.