Cool MateExamine vs Scans
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Examine
Top 2,000 (common)B1verb
Scans
Top 1,000 (very common)
Most common: Scans
| Examine | Scans | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪɡˈzæmɪn/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnz/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnd/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪɡˈzæmɪn/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnz/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnd/","/ɪɡˈzæmɪnɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //skæn//🇺🇸 //skæn// |
| Meaning | to look at something carefully to learn more about it | Looking closely at something to get information. |
| Example | The doctor will examine your health thoroughly during the check-up. | He scans the document for any errors. |
| 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… | scan a document, scan for signals, scan the horizon, scan an image, scan the crowd |
| Antonyms | ignore, overlook, neglect | neglect, ignore |
| 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. | Confusing 'scan' with 'scan over' - they have slightly different meanings., Using 'scan' as a noun incorrectly instead of a verb. |
| 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 'scans' in both technical and informal contexts, such as scanning documents or quickly looking at something. |
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Frequently asked questions: Examine vs Scans
What's the difference between Examine and Scans?
Examine: to look at something carefully to learn more about it Scans: Looking closely at something to get information.
Which is more common: Examine and Scans?
Scans 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. Scans: He scans the document for any errors.
Can I use Examine and Scans interchangeably?
Not always. Examine 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.