look over

examine or check something quickly

B2

What does "look sth over" mean?

To look over something means to read or examine it briefly, without going into every detail. It's the kind of check you do before sending an email, handing in a piece of work, or signing a document — a quick scan to make sure nothing is obviously wrong. The emphasis is on speed and lightness rather than depth: you're casting your eyes over something, not studying it closely. This makes it a very common phrase in workplaces and academic settings, especially in requests like 'Could you look this over for me?' It sits comfortably in both spoken conversation and written communication such as emails, making it a highly versatile, everyday phrase.

Examples

How to use it

look over + object

The most straightforward form, used when the object is a noun phrase — very common and natural in both speech and writing.

Can you look over the proposal before we send it to the client?

look + object + over

The separated form is equally natural with short noun phrases and is often preferred in casual speech.

She looked the draft over and said it was nearly ready.

look + pronoun + over

When the object is a pronoun, it must always go between the verb and particle — this is the only correct word order.

I've finished the report — could you look it over before the meeting?

modal + look over / look + object + over

Modal constructions with 'could', 'can', or 'would you mind' are especially common, particularly in polite requests.

Would you mind looking over my CV before I apply?

be looked over + by + agent

The passive form is grammatically natural and appears in more formal or professional contexts.

The figures were looked over by the finance team before the presentation.

Common Collocations

essayreportcontractdraftfiguresCV

Common Mistakes

Pronoun placement

When the object is a pronoun like 'it' or 'them', it must go between 'look' and 'over', never after 'over'. This is a fixed rule with no exceptions.

✗ Could you look over it before I submit?
✓ Could you look it over before I submit?
Confusing 'look over' with 'go over'

'Look over' suggests a quick, light check, while 'go over' implies a more careful or methodical review. Use 'go over' when you mean examining something step by step or in detail.

✗ The accountant looked over every line of the contract to find the error.
✓ The accountant went over every line of the contract to find the error.
Separating with a very long noun phrase

While separation is natural with short objects, placing a very long noun phrase between 'look' and 'over' sounds awkward. Keep long objects after 'over' or rephrase.

✗ Could you look the updated quarterly sales performance summary over?
✓ Could you look over the updated quarterly sales performance summary?

Usage

This phrasal verb is neutral in register and works equally well in spoken and written English, including professional emails. It usually implies a quick or informal check rather than a deep review — use 'go over' if you want to suggest something more thorough.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'look over' always mean a quick check, or can it mean something more thorough?

It usually implies a relatively quick or general check rather than a deep review — that's what makes it different from 'go over'. If you want to suggest something more careful and detailed, 'go over' or 'check over' would be more accurate. Modifiers like 'just' or 'quickly' often appear with 'look over' to reinforce this lighter sense.

What kinds of things can you 'look over'?

The object is almost always a written or numerical document — things like essays, reports, contracts, drafts, CVs, proposals, or figures. It wouldn't be natural to use 'look over' with abstract ideas or physical objects you'd inspect with your hands. The action is essentially a visual scan of something on paper or a screen.

Can 'look over' be used in a passive sentence?

Yes, the passive is grammatically natural and does occur, particularly in professional or formal writing. For example: 'The proposal was looked over by the director before the meeting.' That said, the active form is much more common in everyday speech and emails.

Is 'look over' the same as 'look through'?

'Look through' suggests a more thorough examination — reading from beginning to end, or going through something item by item, like a file or a stack of papers. 'Look over' is lighter and faster, implying a general scan rather than a complete read. If a colleague asks you to 'look through' a document, expect to spend more time on it than if they asked you to 'look it over'.

Is 'look over' common in professional emails?

Yes, it's very natural in workplace emails, especially in polite requests — for example, 'Could you look this over before I send it?' or 'I'd appreciate it if you could look over the attached draft.' It's neutral in tone, so it works equally well with colleagues, managers, or clients without sounding too casual or too formal.

Related Phrasal Verbs

go sth over
look through sth
pore over sth

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