scrutiny, scrutinize

scrutiny, scrutinize
   To scrutinize something means to look at it with particular attentiveness. Thus qualifying words like close or careful are nearly always superfluous, as here: "But for all the good he did, Roosevelt did much that wouldn't bear close scrutiny" (Boston Globe). Delete close and the sentence loses not only a word but also an aura of cliche.
   Bernstein, who often cautioned against the solecism, actually commits it himself in The Careful Writer when he says, "Under close scrutiny, many constructions containing the word 'not' make no sense." In the same volume he unwittingly underlines the point by urging writers to "scrutinize thoughtfully every phrase that eases itself almost mechanically onto the paper." Had he followed his own advice, he no doubt would have omitted thoughtfully there.

Dictionary of troublesome word. . 2013.

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  • scrutiny, scrutinize —    To scrutinize something means to look at it with particular attentiveness. Thus qualifying words like close or careful are nearly always superfluous, as here: But for all the good he did, Roosevelt did much that wouldn t bear close scrutiny… …   Dictionary of troublesome word

  • scrutinize — scrutinize, scan, inspect, examine, audit can all mean to look at or over critically and searchingly. The same distinctions in implications and connotations are observable in their corresponding nouns scrutiny, scanning, inspection, examination,… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • scrutinize — [skro͞ot′ n īz΄] vt. scrutinized, scrutinizing [< SCRUTINY + IZE] to look at very carefully; examine closely; inspect minutely scrutinizer n. SYN. SCRUTINIZE implies a looking over carefully and searchingly in order to observe the minutest… …   English World dictionary

  • Scrutinize — Scru ti*nize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Scrutinized}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Scrutinizing}.] [From {Scrutiny}.] To examine closely; to inspect or observe with critical attention; to regard narrowly; as, to scrutinize the measures of administration; to… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • scrutinize — (v.) 1670s; see SCRUTINY (Cf. scrutiny) + IZE (Cf. ize). Related: Scrutinized; scrutinizing …   Etymology dictionary

  • scrutiny — scru·ti·ny / skrüt ən ē/ n pl nies: searching study or inquiry; specif: judicial investigation of the constitutionality of a statutory classification of persons under the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution see also intermediate 2,… …   Law dictionary

  • Scrutinize — Scru ti*nize, v. i. To make scrutiny. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • scrutiny —  , scrutinize  To scrutinize something means to look at it with particular attentiveness. Thus, qualifying words like close or careful are nearly always superfluous …   Bryson’s dictionary for writers and editors

  • Scrutiny — Scru ti*ny, v. t. To scrutinize. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • scrutiny — *examination, scanning, inspection, audit (see under SCRUTINIZE) Analogous words: investigation, research, probe, *inquiry, inquisition: surveying or survey, observing or observation, viewing or view (see corresponding verbs at SEE) …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

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