Cool MateExamine vs Look at
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Examine
Top 2,000 (common)B1verb
Look at
Top 1,000 (very common)
Most common: Look at
| Examine | Look at | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪɡˈzæmɪn/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnz/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnd/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪɡˈzæmɪn/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnz/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnd/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //lʊk æt//🇺🇸 //lʊk æt// |
| Meaning | to look at something carefully to learn more about it | To see or pay attention to something. |
| Example | The doctor will examine your health thoroughly during the check-up. | Please look at the diagram on the board. |
| 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… | look at someone, look at something, look at the results, look at the evidence |
| 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 'look at' without an object, e.g. 'Look at.', Confusing with 'see' as both can mean looking., Incorrectly using 'look at' for non-visual contexts, e.g. emotions. |
| 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 'look at' for directing someone's attention. It’s neutral enough for casual and formal situations, but avoid in overly serious contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Examine vs Look at
What's the difference between Examine and Look at?
Examine: to look at something carefully to learn more about it Look at: To see or pay attention to something.
Which is more common: Examine and Look at?
Look at 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. Look at: Please look at the diagram on the board.
Can I use Examine and Look at interchangeably?
Not always. Examine and 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.