look over
يراجع
Literalmente: to direct your eyes above or across
Use 'look over' when you want a quick, helpful review of something without doing a deep dive.
Em 15 segundos
- A quick but careful check of a document or object.
- Commonly used for feedback on homework, emails, or contracts.
- Can be separated: 'look it over' or 'look over it'.
Significado
When you 'look over' something, you give it a quick check or read through to make sure everything is okay. It is less intense than a deep study, but more careful than a tiny glance.
Exemplos-chave
3 de 6Asking a friend for help with a text
Could you look over this text to my crush before I hit send?
Could you review this text to my crush before I hit send?
At the office with a manager
I'll look over the contract tonight and give you my notes tomorrow.
I will review the contract tonight and give you my notes tomorrow.
Buying a used car
The mechanic needs to look over the engine before we buy the car.
The mechanic needs to inspect the engine before we buy the car.
Contexto cultural
The phrase reflects a culture of efficiency and collaborative feedback. It became a staple of English business and academic life in the 20th century as a softer alternative to 'inspect' or 'scrutinize.' It suggests a level of trust between the two people involved.
The 'It' Rule
Always say 'look it over' rather than 'look over it' when referring to a document. It sounds much more natural to native speakers.
Don't Stare
If you 'look over' a person from head to toe, it can be seen as judgmental or 'checking them out' in a romantic way. Be careful with the context!
Em 15 segundos
- A quick but careful check of a document or object.
- Commonly used for feedback on homework, emails, or contracts.
- Can be separated: 'look it over' or 'look over it'.
What It Means
Think of look over as a friendly scan. You are not reading every single tiny word of a 500-page book. You are checking for mistakes or getting the general idea. It is like scanning a menu before the waiter arrives. You want to see what is there without memorizing the ingredients.
How To Use It
This phrase is a 'separable' phrasal verb. That means you can put the object in the middle or at the end. You can say look over the report or look the report over. If you use a pronoun like it, you must put it in the middle: look it over. It is very flexible and works for documents, cars, or even a new apartment.
When To Use It
Use it when you need a second pair of eyes. Ask a friend to look over your resume. Use it at work when your boss needs to approve a quick email. It is perfect for those 'just checking' moments. It feels helpful and collaborative rather than critical.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for deep, scientific analysis. If you are a detective at a crime scene, you are not just 'looking over' the evidence. You are 'examining' it. Also, do not use it for people in a creepy way. If you look someone over too slowly, it might feel like you are judging their outfit or being rude. Stick to objects or documents mostly.
Cultural Background
In Western office culture, 'looking something over' is a polite way to ask for feedback. It sounds less demanding than saying 'Correct this for me.' It implies that the work is already good, but you just want a quick confirmation. It shows you value someone's opinion without wanting to waste their entire afternoon.
Common Variations
Sometimes people say give it a once-over. This is a bit more informal and implies an even faster look. You might also hear run your eyes over. That one is very visual. If you want to be more formal, you would use the word review. But in daily life, look over is the king of the office and the home.
Notas de uso
This is a neutral phrase perfect for both office and home. Remember that 'look it over' is the standard way to use pronouns.
The 'It' Rule
Always say 'look it over' rather than 'look over it' when referring to a document. It sounds much more natural to native speakers.
Don't Stare
If you 'look over' a person from head to toe, it can be seen as judgmental or 'checking them out' in a romantic way. Be careful with the context!
The 'Polite Ask'
In the US and UK, asking a boss to 'look over' your work is a great way to show initiative without sounding like you're unsure of yourself.
Exemplos
6Could you look over this text to my crush before I hit send?
Could you review this text to my crush before I hit send?
Very common for getting social advice.
I'll look over the contract tonight and give you my notes tomorrow.
I will review the contract tonight and give you my notes tomorrow.
Professional but keeps the atmosphere relaxed.
The mechanic needs to look over the engine before we buy the car.
The mechanic needs to inspect the engine before we buy the car.
Used for physical inspections too.
Can you look over my essay? I'm worried about the intro.
Can you check my essay? I am worried about the intro.
Standard academic help request.
I looked over your recipe and I think the 'cup of salt' is a typo.
I checked your recipe and I think the 'cup of salt' is a mistake.
Using it to point out a funny mistake.
Come here and let me look over your math problems.
Come here and let me check your math problems.
Shows care and attention to detail.
Teste-se
Choose the correct way to use the pronoun 'it' with the phrase.
The report is ready. Can you ___ for me?
When using 'it', we almost always place it between 'look' and 'over'.
Which word best replaces 'look over' in a very formal legal setting?
The lawyer will ___ the documents tomorrow.
'Review' is the formal cousin of 'look over'.
🎉 Pontuação: /2
Recursos visuais
Formality of Reviewing
A quick glance
Give it a once-over
Standard helpful check
Look it over
Official examination
Review/Examine
Where to use 'Look Over'
School
Checking an essay
Work
Checking an email
Shopping
Checking a used item
Home
Checking a bill
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasThey are opposites! Look over means to examine something. Overlook means to fail to notice something or to ignore a mistake.
Yes, but be careful. If a doctor looks you over, it is a medical check. If a stranger does it, it might feel like they are judging your clothes.
It is better for conversation. In a written resume, use words like reviewed, analyzed, or inspected.
Not exactly. Read means you go through every word. Look over implies you are checking for specific things or general quality.
No, that changes the meaning to physically turning your head to look at a direction. Stick to look over [something].
Both are 100% correct! You can choose whichever sounds better in your sentence.
It usually implies a few minutes. It is faster than a 'study' but slower than a 'glance'.
Mixing it up with look through. Look through often means searching for something specific inside a pile or folder.
Yes! If you are buying a house, you can look over the property to see if there are any visible problems.
It is used equally in both! It is a universal English phrasal verb.
Frases relacionadas
go over
To review something in detail, often step-by-step.
check out
To look at something interesting or to investigate.
scan through
To read something very quickly to find specific info.
run through
To quickly practice or review a sequence of things.
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