Cool MateExamine vs Take a look
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Examine
Top 2,000 (common)B1verb
Take a look
Top 1,000 (very common)
Most common: Take a look
| Examine | Take a look | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪɡˈzæmɪn/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnz/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnd/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪɡˈzæmɪn/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnz/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnd/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //teɪk ə lʊk//🇺🇸 //teɪk ə lʊk// |
| Meaning | to look at something carefully to learn more about it | To glance at something. |
| Example | The doctor will examine your health thoroughly during the check-up. | Can you take a look at this report? |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very 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… | take a closer look, take a quick look, take a look over, take a second look, take a look at |
| 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. | Using 'take a look' without a specific object., Confusing 'take a look' with 'have a look'., Using 'take a look' in very formal contexts. |
| 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 casual conversation and written contexts to suggest someone should observe or consider something. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Examine vs Take a look
What's the difference between Examine and Take a look?
Examine: to look at something carefully to learn more about it Take a look: To glance at something.
Which is more common: Examine and Take a look?
Take a look is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Examine: The doctor will examine your health thoroughly during the check-up. Take a look: Can you take a look at this report?
Can I use Examine and Take a look interchangeably?
Not always. Examine and Take a look 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.