examine
B1Neutral to formal. Common in academic, medical, legal, and professional contexts.
Definition
Meaning
To look at something carefully and in detail in order to understand, assess, or investigate it.
To formally test someone's knowledge or proficiency in a subject; to interrogate or question someone in an official context; to medically inspect a patient.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies a systematic, thorough, and often expert inspection. Carries a sense of scrutiny, assessment, or evaluation. Can be used literally (visual inspection) or metaphorically (scrutinizing an idea).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor. British English more commonly uses 'examine' in the formal educational context ('sit an exam'). American English slightly favors 'check out' or 'look at' in very informal contexts where British might still use 'examine'.
Connotations
Largely identical. Slightly stronger association with formal education/testing in UK usage.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in British academic/medical prose.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
examine + noun (transitive)examine + noun + for + noun (e.g., examine the data for errors)examine + noun + to-infinitive (e.g., examine the sample to determine its purity)be examined + by + agent (passive)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(leave) no stone unturned (to examine every possibility)”
- “under the microscope (being closely examined)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
We need to examine the quarterly figures before the board meeting.
Academic
This chapter will examine the causes of the industrial revolution.
Everyday
The mechanic will examine your brakes to see what's making that noise.
Technical
Geologists will examine the core samples for mineral deposits.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The committee will examine the proposal next week.
- The pathologist examined the tissue under a microscope.
- Students are examined on three modules.
American English
- The lawyer examined the witness for over an hour.
- We need to examine all our options before deciding.
- The doctor examined my sore knee.
adverb
British English
- He looked at it examineingly. (rare/archaic)
American English
- She peered examineingly at the contract. (rare/archaic)
adjective
British English
- The examined life is worth living. (philosophical)
- The examined samples were contaminated.
American English
- The carefully examined evidence proved crucial.
- All examined accounts showed irregularities.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The teacher examined my homework.
- The vet will examine your dog.
- Scientists examine data to find patterns.
- Please examine this picture and tell me what you see.
- The report examines the link between diet and health.
- The panel will examine the ethical implications of the research.
- The historian meticulously examined primary sources to challenge the prevailing narrative.
- The court-appointed expert will examine the methodology of the study for any flaws.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a doctor saying, "I need to EXAMINE you." The word contains 'EXAM' – you get examined in an exam.
Conceptual Metaphor
UNDERSTANDING IS SEEING ("Let me examine your argument"); INVESTIGATION IS A JOURNEY ("We will examine several avenues").
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'испытывать' (to experience/test feelings). 'Examine' is more analytical and external. Closer to 'рассматривать', 'анализировать', 'исследовать'. The noun 'examination' can mean a test (экзамен) or a medical check-up (осмотр).
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: *I examined about the problem. (Correct: I examined the problem.)
- Incorrect: *She examined to find the answer. (Correct: She examined the document to find the answer.)
- Confusing 'examine' (scrutinize) with 'example' (sample).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'examine' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are very close synonyms. 'Examine' is broader and can involve mental analysis. 'Inspect' often implies a more formal, official, or detailed visual check against a standard (e.g., inspect a building for safety, inspect troops).
Rarely. It is almost always a transitive verb (e.g., examine something). The object can be implied in context (e.g., 'The doctor is ready to examine (you).').
Yes, in the context of testing knowledge. E.g., 'Students will be examined on European history.' It means the topic of the examination is European history.
The noun is 'examination' (often shortened to 'exam'). It can mean: 1) A formal test of knowledge. 2) The act of examining (e.g., a medical examination). 3) A detailed inquiry or investigation.