Cool MateExamine vs Go through
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Examine
Top 2,000 (common)B1verb
Go through
Top 1,000 (very common)
Most common: Go through
| Examine | Go through | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪɡˈzæmɪn/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnz/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnd/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪɡˈzæmɪn/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnz/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnd/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ɡoʊ θruː//🇺🇸 //ɡoʊ θru// |
| Meaning | to look at something carefully to learn more about it | to examine or check something carefully |
| Example | The doctor will examine your health thoroughly during the check-up. | I need to go through the reports before the meeting. |
| 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… | go through the motions, go through a process, go through changes |
| Antonyms | ignore, overlook, neglect | ignore, overlook, bypass |
| 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. | 'Go through' confused with 'pass through', which means to move through something quickly., Using 'go through' without an object, as it usually requires one., Incorrectly separating the phrase, e.g., 'go' and 'through'. |
| 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 various contexts like reviewing documents, inspecting items, or experiencing challenges. Avoid in highly formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Examine vs Go through
What's the difference between Examine and Go through?
Examine: to look at something carefully to learn more about it Go through: to examine or check something carefully
Which is more common: Examine and Go through?
Go through 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. Go through: I need to go through the reports before the meeting.
Can I use Examine and Go through interchangeably?
Not always. Examine and Go through 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.