Phrasal verb
look over
Irregular verb
Forms
Infinitive
look over
Past
looked over
Past participle
looked over
In Japanese
Japanese from JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0. Example sentences from Tatoeba, CC BY 2.0 FR. All sources.
Definition
phrasal verb. to check or examine something quickly to see if it is correct or to understand it better.
phrasal verb. to examine or inspect something, often for the purpose of verification or to gain a general impression. The verb is transitive and allows for object placement between the verb and particle.
Examples
“Please look over the contract before you sign your name.”
“The manager asked to look over the weekly report to ensure all the figures were accurate.”
“Before the gallery opened, the curator took a moment to look over the installation, ensuring each piece was lit correctly.”
Examples
simple
“Please look over the contract before you sign your name.”
contextual
“The manager asked to look over the weekly report to ensure all the figures were accurate.”
complex
“Before the gallery opened, the curator took a moment to look over the installation, ensuring each piece was lit correctly.”
Usage
commonly used with documents, lists, or physical objects that need a quick check.
Teaching tip
contrast with 'overlook' to prevent confusion between inspecting something and failing to notice something.
Pitfall
I overlooked the document to find any errors.
I looked over the document to find any errors.
'Overlook' means to fail to notice something, whereas 'look over' means to examine it.
Phrasal verb
Particles
over
Separability
optional
Pattern
look + (object) + over
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784EikenEikenTest in Practical English ProficiencyThe English proficiency test from the Eiken Foundation of Japan, widely taken by Japanese students. Grades run from 5 to 1, with Pre-1 and Pre-2 between them.Grade 2
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/look-over