Cool MateExamine vs Look into that
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Examine
Top 2,000 (common)B1verb
Look into that
Top 2,000 (common)
| Examine | Look into that | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪɡˈzæmɪn/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnz/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnd/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪɡˈzæmɪn/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnz/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnd/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //lʊk ˈɪntuː ðæt//🇺🇸 //lʊk ˈɪntu ðæt// |
| Meaning | to look at something carefully to learn more about it | Check or investigate that. |
| Example | The doctor will examine your health thoroughly during the check-up. | Can you look into that problem we discussed earlier? |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | - |
| Part of speech | 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… | look into details, look into options, look into issues, look into solutions, look into reports |
| Antonyms | 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. | 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 | 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 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. |
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Frequently asked questions: Examine vs Look into that
What's the difference between Examine and Look into that?
Examine: to look at something carefully to learn more about it Look into that: Check or investigate that.
Can you show an example of each?
Examine: The doctor will examine your health thoroughly during the check-up. Look into that: Can you look into that problem we discussed earlier?
Can I use Examine and Look into that interchangeably?
Not always. Examine 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.