Cool MateExamine vs Inspect vs I've got to frisk you
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Examine
Inspect
I've got to frisk you
| Examine | Inspect | I've got to frisk you | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪɡˈzæmɪn/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnz/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnd/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪɡˈzæmɪn/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnz/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnd/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈspekt/","/ɪnˈspekts/","/ɪnˈspektɪd/","/ɪnˈspektɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪnˈspekt/","/ɪnˈspekts/","/ɪnˈspektɪd/","/ɪnˈspektɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //aɪv ɡɒt tə frɪsk jʊ//🇺🇸 //aɪv ɡɑt tə frɪsk jʊ// |
| Meaning | to look at something carefully to learn more about it | To look at something carefully to learn more about it. | I need to search you for hidden items. |
| Example | The doctor will examine your health thoroughly during the check-up. | The teacher walked around inspecting their work. | I've got to frisk you before you enter the building. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | verb | |
| 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… | carefully, closely, thoroughly, allow somebody to, be entitled to, for, carefully, closely, thoroughly, allow somebody to, be entitled to, for | frisk for weapons, frisk thoroughly, frisk the suspect |
| Antonyms | ignore, overlook, neglect | ignore, overlook, neglect | - |
| 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. | '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'. | Confused with 'frisking' as a playful action., Used in a formal context, which sounds strange., Assumed to mean 'to touch' rather than 'to search.' |
| 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. | 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. | Used in informal contexts, often by security personnel or police. Not appropriate in casual conversation. |
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Frequently asked questions: Examine vs Inspect vs I've got to frisk you
What's the difference between Examine, Inspect, and I've got to frisk you?
Examine: to look at something carefully to learn more about it Inspect: To look at something carefully to learn more about it. I've got to frisk you: I need to search you for hidden items.
Which is more advanced: Examine, Inspect, and I've got to frisk you?
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. Inspect: The teacher walked around inspecting their work. I've got to frisk you: I've got to frisk you before you enter the building.
Can I use Examine, Inspect, and I've got to frisk you interchangeably?
Not always. Examine, Inspect, and I've got to frisk you 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.