Look Over – Meaning and Examples
Have you ever asked a friend to check your resume before sending it? Or quickly scanned a document for mistakes before a meeting? In English, you can say, “Can you look over this?” This practical phrasal verb means to examine or review something quickly—usually to check for errors, understand the content, or give feedback.
What Does “Look Over” Mean?
“Look over” means to read, examine, or review something quickly and carefully—often to find mistakes, get the gist, or approve it. Think of it like giving something a once-over with your eyes: not a deep study, but enough to catch what matters. It’s always about visual checking, not emotional reflection.
When to Use It
Use “look over” in casual, professional, or helpful contexts:
• When asking for a quick review: “Can you look over my email before I send it?”
• In work or school settings: “The manager looked over the report and approved it.”
• When checking for errors or changes: “I looked over the contract and spotted a typo.”
It’s neutral—common in speaking, emails, and everyday collaboration. Avoid it in formal writing as a verb phrase, but it’s perfect for real-life requests.
Example Sentences
- Before the presentation, she asked her teammate to look over her slides.
- I’ll look over the invoice tonight and let you know.
- He looked over the menu and chose the pasta.
- Don’t sign anything without looking it over first.
Mini Dialogue
Alex: “I finished the proposal—want to look over it?”
Jamie: “Sure! Send it over—I’ll look it over in 10 minutes.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t confuse “look over” with “overlook.” “Look over” = review carefully. “Overlook” = fail to notice (the opposite!). Also, “look over” is separable—you can say “look it over” or “look over the document,” but with pronouns, it must be “look it over,” not “look over it.”
❌ Don’t say: “I overlooked the report.” (If you mean you reviewed it—use “looked over.”)
✅ Do say: “I looked over the report.”
✅ Do say: “Can you look it over before noon?”
Practice Tip
Next time you send a message, document, or form, ask a friend: “Can you look this over?” When someone sends you something, say: “I’ll look it over.” Using the phrase in real review moments builds natural, helpful fluency.
Final Note
Now you can use “look over” to request or offer a quick, careful check—with clarity and politeness. It’s a phrase full of collaboration, used daily by native speakers in offices, schools, and friendly exchanges. Keep listening for it in emails, chats, and workspaces. You’re not just learning English—you’re learning how people support each other through small acts of attention. Keep going—you’ve got this!