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Phrasal verbs with CHECK are extremely common in everyday English. They are often used to talk about verification, monitoring, travel procedures, investigations, and responsibility. In this lesson, you’ll learn the most useful and natural phrasal verbs with CHECK, including check in, check out, check on, and check up on.
List of Common Phrasal Verbs with CHECK
- Check in
- Check out
- Check on
- Check up on
- Check over
- Check through
- Check off
- Check against
Phrasal Verbs with CHECK: Meaning and Examples
She checked in at the hotel reception and received her room key. Guests must check out of the hotel before 11 a.m. You should check out the report before submitting it. She checked out three books from the library. Please check on the baby while I’m cooking. The manager checks up on staff performance every week. Please check over the contract before you sign it.Check in
Check out
Check on
Check up on
Check over
The first five phrasal verbs with check focus on arrival and basic verification. “Check in” registers official arrival at hotels and airports, while “check out” handles departure and examination. “Check on” and “check up on” both verify status but with different degrees of authority. “Check over” adds a thorough but quick review to complete this foundational group.
The accountant checked through all the receipts. She checked off each task after finishing it. Please check the figures against the original report.Check through
Check off
Check against
Dialogue: CHECK Phrasal Verbs in Everyday Situations
- Mom
- The kids are very quiet. Is everything okay?
- Dad
- I’ll go check on them in a minute.
- Mom
- Thanks. Can you also check through their homework later?
- Dad
- Of course. I’ll make sure it’s all done correctly.
- Guest
- Hi, I’d like to check in. I have a reservation under Smith.
- Receptionist
- Certainly. May I see your ID, please?
- Guest
- Sure. What time do I need to check out tomorrow?
- Receptionist
- Before 11 a.m. Have a wonderful stay!
- Manager
- Have you finished the report yet?
- Employee
- Almost. I just need to check over the numbers once more.
- Manager
- Good idea. Please check them against last month’s data as well.
- Employee
- Will do. I’ll send it by 3 p.m.
Common Mistakes with Phrasal Verbs with CARRY
1. Confusing “carry off” (succeed) with “carry out” (perform/complete)
β Wrong The team carried off the entire project without errors.
β Correct The team carried out the entire project without errors.
“Carry off” emphasizes impressive success in a difficult situation. “Carry out” means to perform or execute a task. Use “carry off” for accomplishments against odds, and “carry out” for general task completion.
2. Forgetting that “carry on” can be negative or positive
π Neutral The meeting was interrupted, but we carried on with the agenda.
π Negative The children were carrying on so badly that the teacher had to intervene.
In professional or positive contexts, “carry on” means to continue. When describing behavior, it often implies annoyance or excessive noise.
3. Treating separable “carry out” as inseparable
β Correct We will carry the inspection out tomorrow.
Both word orders are grammatically correct because “carry out” is separable. You can insert an object between the verb and particle.
Key Grammar Notes
Keep building your skills with Phrasal Verbs with COME and Phrasal Verbs with CALL to see more real-life usage patterns.