Cool MateCheck vs Scans
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Check
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
Scans
Top 1,000 (very common)
| Check | Scans | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/tʃek/","/tʃeks/","/tʃekt/","/ˈtʃekɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/tʃek/","/tʃeks/","/tʃekt/","/ˈtʃekɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //skæn//🇺🇸 //skæn// |
| Meaning | To look at something to see if it's correct or okay. | Looking closely at something to get information. |
| Example | Please check your answers before submitting the test. | He scans the document for any errors. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | - |
| Part of speech | 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 | scan a document, scan for signals, scan the horizon, scan an image, scan the crowd |
| Antonyms | ignore, disregard | neglect, ignore |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'cheque' in British English., Using 'check' as a noun without proper context., Incorrectly conjugating 'check' in the past tense. | Confusing 'scan' with 'scan over' - they have slightly different meanings., Using 'scan' as a noun incorrectly instead of a verb. |
| 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 'scans' in both technical and informal contexts, such as scanning documents or quickly looking at something. |
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Frequently asked questions: Check vs Scans
What's the difference between Check and Scans?
Check: To look at something to see if it's correct or okay. Scans: Looking closely at something to get information.
Can you show an example of each?
Check: Please check your answers before submitting the test. Scans: He scans the document for any errors.
Can I use Check and Scans interchangeably?
Not always. Check and Scans 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.