survey
B1Neutral to formal; common in academic, professional, and technical contexts.
Definition
Meaning
To look carefully and comprehensively at something; to examine or investigate the condition, structure, or features of an area, group, or topic.
A general view, examination, or description of something; also, the act of measuring and mapping an area of land.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As a noun, it can refer to both the process of gathering information and the resulting report. As a verb, it emphasizes systematic observation or measurement.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor. In land measurement contexts, both use 'survey'. In general research contexts, 'survey' is slightly more formal in UK English, where 'study' or 'review' might be preferred in some informal contexts.
Connotations
In UK English, 'to survey' can sound slightly more formal or technical. In US English, it is widely used in business and social science contexts.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in US English in business/marketing contexts ('customer survey').
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
survey something (verb)a survey of something (noun)to conduct a survey into/on somethingVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A broad survey of the literature”
- “To take a survey of the situation”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
We need to survey customer satisfaction before launching the new product.
Academic
The chapter provides a survey of post-war economic theories.
Everyday
Could you fill out this quick survey about the new park?
Technical
The engineers will survey the land before construction begins.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- The latest survey indicates a shift in public opinion.
- A geological survey of the region was published.
American English
- According to the survey, most employees prefer remote work.
- The land survey revealed a boundary discrepancy.
verb
British English
- The committee will survey the damage tomorrow.
- He stood on the hill to survey the surrounding countryside.
American English
- The company surveyed 500 users about the app.
- We need to survey the property lines before buying.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Please answer the questions in this survey.
- The teacher did a survey of favourite colours.
- We conducted a survey to find out about eating habits.
- The report gives a useful survey of the problem.
- The survey's methodology has been criticized for its small sample size.
- From the summit, we could survey the entire valley.
- His paper offers a magisterial survey of Renaissance art historiography.
- The law requires the land to be professionally surveyed prior to development.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a SURVEYor (sounds like 'survey') looking over a VIEW (vey) of the land.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE IS A MAP (to survey is to create a conceptual map of information).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'опрос' for all contexts. For land measurement, 'съёмка' or 'геодезическая съёмка' is more accurate. 'Survey' as a general review can be 'обзор'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'make a survey' instead of 'conduct/carry out a survey'. Confusing 'survey' (noun/verb) with 'surveillance' (continuous observation).
Practice
Quiz
Which word is NOT a typical synonym for 'survey' (noun) in a research context?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is very common as both. The noun is extremely frequent in research and business contexts. The verb is common in formal observation and technical land measurement contexts.
A survey is generally broader, examining opinions, behaviours, or facts in detail, often with multiple questions. A poll is typically a single-question or very short inquiry into public opinion.
Yes, as a verb, it can mean 'to look carefully and completely at something', often from a high vantage point (e.g., 'She surveyed the crowd from the balcony').
It is the technical process of measuring and mapping an area of land to determine boundaries, topography, and features, typically done by a licensed surveyor.