Cool MateExamine vs Take a look at
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Examine
Top 2,000 (common)B1verb
Take a look at
Top 2,000 (common)
| Examine | Take a look at | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪɡˈzæmɪn/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnz/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnd/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪɡˈzæmɪn/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnz/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnd/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //teɪk ə lʊk æt//🇺🇸 //teɪk ə lʊk æt// |
| Meaning | to look at something carefully to learn more about it | To see or examine something. |
| Example | The doctor will examine your health thoroughly during the check-up. | Could you take a look at my report before I submit it? |
| 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… | take a look at, take a quick look at, take a closer look at, take another look at, take a second 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. | Omitting 'a look' and saying just 'take a' instead., Confusing with 'look at' which changes the structure., Using in a command form without context, e.g., just saying 'take a look.' |
| 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 informal and formal contexts; often invites someone to observe something, typically used in casual conversations. |
Frequently asked questions: Examine vs Take a look at
What's the difference between Examine and Take a look at?
Examine: to look at something carefully to learn more about it Take a look at: To see or examine something.
Can you show an example of each?
Examine: The doctor will examine your health thoroughly during the check-up. Take a look at: Could you take a look at my report before I submit it?
Can I use Examine and Take a look at interchangeably?
Not always. Examine and Take a look at 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.