Cool MateExamine vs We have all been poring over
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Examine
Top 2,000 (common)B1verb
We have all been poring over
Top 5,000 (fairly common)
Most common: Examine
| Examine | We have all been poring over | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪɡˈzæmɪn/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnz/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnd/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪɡˈzæmɪn/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnz/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnd/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //pɔːrɪŋ ˈəʊvə//🇺🇸 //pɔrɪŋ ˈoʊvɚ// |
| Meaning | to look at something carefully to learn more about it | We have all been looking at something very carefully. |
| Example | The doctor will examine your health thoroughly during the check-up. | We have all been poring over the data to find any trends. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 5,000 (fairly 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… | poring over books, poring over data, poring over reports, poring over documents, poring over details |
| 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. | Confusing 'pouring' with 'poring', Using it with an object that is not suitable for analysis, Misplacing the tense with past instead of present perfect |
| 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 this phrase when discussing detailed analysis. It's neutral, suitable for both spoken and written contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Examine vs We have all been poring over
What's the difference between Examine and We have all been poring over?
Examine: to look at something carefully to learn more about it We have all been poring over: We have all been looking at something very carefully.
Which is more common: Examine and We have all been poring over?
Examine 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. We have all been poring over: We have all been poring over the data to find any trends.
Can I use Examine and We have all been poring over interchangeably?
Not always. Examine and We have all been poring over 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.