ENGLISH
REFERENCE

check over

phr. v..
B1 Intermediate Oxford

phr. v.. to look at something carefully to make sure it is correct or in good condition.

phr. v.. to examine something thoroughly for errors, defects, or general condition; often implies a final review before submission or use.


SIMPLE

Please check over your work before you hand it in.

CONTEXTUAL

The mechanic needs to check over the car before we go on our long road trip.

COMPLEX

The legal team spent several hours checking over the contract to ensure no clauses had been altered during the final negotiations.

Particles
over
Separability
optional
Pattern
check + (object) + over
Usage

usually takes a document, a piece of work, or a mechanical object as its direct object.

Teaching tip

contrast with 'check' (general) and 'check out' (to investigate or look at something interesting); 'check over' emphasizes the search for mistakes or faults.

Pitfall

I checked over it.I checked it over.while 'check over' is often used with the object at the end, when using a pronoun like 'it', the phrase is usually separated.

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