examine

/ɪɡˈzæmɪn/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪɡˈzæmɪn/ (ame, ipa) · /ig-ˈza-mən/ (ame, mw)

examine — verb

  • examinepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • examineshe / she / it
  • examinedpast simple
  • examining-ing form

1. to look at something very closely and carefully, paying attention to every part

1.動詞及物B1
釋義

to look at something very closely and carefully, paying attention to every part of it, in order to find information, understand how it works, or check for problems or damage.

例句

The doctor examined Layla's swollen ankle after she twisted it during a run.

examine + body part for injury

Before buying the old house, Henrik hired someone to examine the roof and basement walls.

examine + object for defects before decision

同義詞
  • inspect

    focuses on checking for quality, defects, or standards, often in a professional context

  • scrutinize

    suggests even closer, more detailed attention, often looking for tiny flaws

  • analyze

    focuses on breaking something into parts to understand its structure or meaning

  • study

    implies spending time learning about something rather than checking its condition

反義詞
  • ignore

    to pay no attention to something

  • overlook

    to fail to notice something, either deliberately or by accident

文法句型

examine + noun phrase

examine + noun phrase + for + noun phrase

examine + wh-clause

用法筆記

Often used with adverbs that indicate thoroughness: carefully, closely, thoroughly, rigorously.

常見錯誤

❌The mechanic looked at the engine' (when meaning a detailed check).
✅The mechanic examined the engine for faults.
💡'look at' is casual; 'examine' implies a systematic, careful check.
❌She examined him if he was okay.' (wrong structure).
✅She examined him to see if he was okay.
💡'examine' cannot be followed directly by 'if' or 'whether'; use a to-infinitive or a wh-clause.

2. to formally measure what a student has learned within a specific area of study,

2.動詞及物B1
釋義

to formally measure what a student has learned within a specific area of study, usually by administering a written or practical test.

例句

All final-year students will be examined in both written and spoken French.

passive: be examined in [subject]

The university examined Hao on economic theory at the end of the semester.

同義詞
  • test

    broader and more common; can be formal or informal, written or practical

  • assess

    focuses on judging ability or quality, often continuously rather than in one exam

  • quiz

    an informal or short test, especially in American English

文法句型

examine + someone + in/on + subject

be examined + in/on + subject

用法筆記

Commonly used in the passive voice. The subject area is introduced by 'in' for broad fields ('examined in mathematics') or 'on' for specific topics ('examined on the causes of World War I'). More common in British English; American English prefers 'test'.

常見錯誤

❌The teacher examined the students about grammar.
✅The teacher examined the students on grammar.
💡the preposition is 'in' or 'on', not 'about'.
❌I was examined by the doctor on my knowledge.' (ambiguity between Sense 1 and Sense 2).
✅The students were examined in mathematics at the end of the term.
💡use 'in/on + subject' clearly to signal the testing sense.

3. to ask someone questions in a formal legal or official setting, such as a court

3.動詞及物B2
釋義

to ask someone questions in a formal legal or official setting, such as a court of law or a committee hearing, in order to obtain facts or establish the truth.

例句

The prosecutor examined Adina about the events she witnessed on the night of the robbery.

examine + witness + about [events]

Tariro was examined by the parliamentary committee for nearly three hours over the failed project.

passive: be examined by [official body]

同義詞
  • interrogate

    more forceful and intensive; often used by police with suspects

  • question

    broader and less formal; works for both everyday and official contexts

  • cross-examine

    specific to courtroom procedure; questioning by the opposing legal side

文法句型

examine + someone + about/on + noun phrase

examine + someone + under oath

用法筆記

In legal contexts, 'examine' is distinct from 'cross-examine': the former is any formal questioning in court, while the latter specifically refers to questioning by the opposing side after the first round of questions.

常見錯誤

❌The police examined the suspect in the street.' (too informal for this sense).
✅The police officer questioned the suspect on the street.
💡Sense 3 is reserved for formal, official proceedings; use 'question' for everyday police inquiries.