inspect

/ɪnˈspekt/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪnˈspekt/ (ame, ipa) · /in-ˈspekt/ (ame, mw)

inspect — verb

  • inspectpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • inspectshe / she / it
  • inspectedpast simple
  • inspecting-ing form

1. to study something or someone very closely by looking at every part, in order to

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to study something or someone very closely by looking at every part, in order to find facts about its quality, condition, or correctness.

例句

Reema inspected every seam of the dress before deciding to buy it.

inspect + noun phrase: examining every part of an object

The mechanic inspected the engine carefully but found nothing wrong with it.

inspect + adverb (carefully) for emphasis

同義詞
  • examine

    broader — can include testing or probing, not just visual checking

  • scrutinize

    more intense — means looking extremely closely, often at details

  • survey

    more general — looking over a whole area or collection, not necessarily close up

反義詞
  • overlook

    to fail to notice something when inspecting

  • ignore

    to deliberately pay no attention to something

文法句型

inspect + noun phrase (object)

用法筆記

The object is usually a concrete thing (document, object, person) whose condition or quality you want to assess. For abstract objects (proposal, situation), prefer 'examine' or 'review'.

常見錯誤

❌The doctor inspected the patient's heart.
✅The doctor examined the patient's heart.
💡'inspect' usually refers to looking at the outside or surface of something; doctors use 'examine' for medical checks.

2. to go to a workplace, school, factory, or other establishment as an official vis

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to go to a workplace, school, factory, or other establishment as an official visitor, checking whether rules, safety measures, and legal requirements are being followed.

例句

Health officials inspect every restaurant in the city at least once a year.

inspect + place: institutional authority

A team from the education ministry inspected the school and praised its teaching standards.

同義詞
  • audit

    specifically financial or procedural records, not physical premises

  • review

    less formal — can be done by anyone, not necessarily an authority figure

文法句型

inspect + place / group (object)

用法筆記

Subject is typically an official body, government agency, or authorized inspector. Frequently found in passive constructions when the focus is on the place being checked rather than who does the checking.

常見錯誤

❌The teacher inspected my homework.
✅The teacher checked my homework.
💡teachers check or mark homework; 'inspect' implies formal authority investigating rule compliance, not everyday correction.

3. to have a building, bridge, or similar structure examined by a qualified profess

3.動詞及物B2
釋義

to have a building, bridge, or similar structure examined by a qualified professional who looks for hidden faults, damage, or safety problems in its physical construction.

例句

Before buying the house, Nkechi hired a surveyor to inspect the roof and the foundations.

inspect + building part (roof, foundations) for hidden faults

The apartment block was inspected for structural damage after the earthquake.

passive: be inspected for [defect]

同義詞
  • survey

    the standard term in British English for professional building inspections

  • assess

    broader — can include evaluating value, not just physical condition

文法句型

inspect + building / structure (object)

be inspected for [defect]

用法筆記

Nearly always passive ('the building was inspected') or describes a hired specialist ('someone inspected the property'). The inspection is done by a trained professional (surveyor, engineer, building inspector) rather than a government authority.

常見錯誤

❌I inspected my kitchen pipes myself.
✅A plumber inspected the kitchen pipes.
💡the word implies professional expertise; for casual personal checking, use 'check' or 'look at.'