Cool MateCheck vs Examine
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Check
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
Examine
Top 2,000 (common)B1verb
Most common: Check
| Check | Examine | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/tʃek/","/tʃeks/","/tʃekt/","/ˈtʃekɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/tʃek/","/tʃeks/","/tʃekt/","/ˈtʃekɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪɡˈzæmɪn/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnz/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnd/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪɡˈzæmɪn/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnz/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnd/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To look at something to see if it's correct or okay. | to look at something carefully to learn more about it |
| Example | Please check your answers before submitting the test. | The doctor will examine your health thoroughly during the check-up. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | B1 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | always, daily, periodically, had better, must, need to, against, for, with, be worth checking, check to see if, check to see whether, always, daily, periodically, had better, must, need to, against, for, with, be worth checking, check to see if, check to see whether, simply, mentally, off | 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… |
| Antonyms | ignore, disregard | ignore, overlook, neglect |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'cheque' in British English., Using 'check' as a noun without proper context., Incorrectly conjugating 'check' in the past tense. | 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. |
| Usage notes | Used in various contexts such as checking information, verifying facts, or inspecting items. Avoid using in very formal writing; instead, opt for 'verify' or 'inspect.' | 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. |
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Frequently asked questions: Check vs Examine
What's the difference between Check and Examine?
Check: To look at something to see if it's correct or okay. Examine: to look at something carefully to learn more about it
Which is more common: Check and Examine?
Check is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Check and Examine?
Examine is the highest level, at B1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Check and Examine the same CEFR level?
Check: A1, Examine: B1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Check and Examine?
Check: verb, Examine: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Check: Please check your answers before submitting the test. Examine: The doctor will examine your health thoroughly during the check-up.
Can I use Check and Examine interchangeably?
Not always. Check and Examine 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.