# check through

CEFR B1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/check-through
Updated: 2026-10-22

## Definition

to look at something carefully from beginning to end to find mistakes or check if it is correct.

For teachers: to examine a document or a collection of items thoroughly to verify accuracy or completeness. Transitive and often implies a systematic, start-to-finish process.

## Examples

- Please check through your homework before you give it to me.
- Before submitting the final report, the manager asked the intern to check through the data for any inconsistencies.
- The legal team spent several hours checking through the contract's fine print to ensure no clauses had been overlooked during the negotiation phase.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I checked through the mistake." but "I checked through the report for mistakes." — the object should be the document or collection being examined, not the error itself.

## Usage notes

- usually followed by a document, list, or set of items.
- Teaching tip: contrast with 'check' (general) and 'scan' (quick); 'check through' implies a more methodical, start-to-finish inspection.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.