Meaning
- To examine, look at, or investigate something, often to get more information about it.
- To borrow or take something for a temporary period.
- To leave a place.
- To die or pass away.
- To pay the bill.
Today’s Sentences
01
Let’s check it out.
Situation
Is that a new coffee shop?
I think so.
Let’s check it out.
I’m always up for a cup of coffee.
02
I should check out the website.
Situation
Have you applied to any new schools?
Not yet.
Do you know when the deadline is?
I have no idea.
I should check out the website.
Writer’s Note
- The phrasal verb ‘check out’ is both transitive and intransitive and can be separable and inseparable, depending on how it’s used. ‘Check out‘ is generally considered an intransitive verb when used to mean leaving a place, like a hotel, or departing from a situation, as it doesn’t directly act on an object; however, it can be used transitively in informal contexts to mean ‘examine‘ or ‘look at something‘ where it would take a direct object.
- Transitive: Requires a direct object to complete their meaning. The action is being done to something.
Example: The detectives checked out the crime scene.
Example: I checked out the new book from the library. - Intransitive: ‘Check out‘ does not need a direct object to make sense. The action stands on its own.
Example: The party was great, but I had to check out early.
Example: The concert takes place on the 7th, but we should check out the theatre a few days before. - Separable: The action can be split and the object can go between ‘check’ and ‘out’.
Example: I checked the movie out.
Example: We checked the new restaurant out. - Inseparable: Some phrasal verbs can’t have the object in between the verb and the preposition. However, ‘check out’ is not inseparable by default.
Example: Check out my new car.
Example: We can check out of the hotel an hour later. - Synonyms: Examine, inspect, review, survey, look over, scrutinize, assess, analyze, investigate, verify, leave, depart, vacate, pay the bill, sign out.
