Explanation at your level:
You use checked when you look at something. For example, you checked your bag before school. It means you wanted to see if your books were inside. It is a very useful word for your daily life.
When you are at the airport, you have checked your bags. This means you gave them to the staff. You also check your phone to see the time. It is a common word for making sure things are right.
In this level, you use checked to talk about verifying information. You might have checked the website for train times. You can also use it to mean 'stopped,' like when you checked your anger before saying something rude.
At this level, you understand the nuance of checked in professional contexts. You 'checked the data' for accuracy. You might also use it in idioms, like 'keeping your spending in check' to manage your budget effectively.
Using checked at an advanced level involves understanding its figurative power. You might describe a 'checked ambition,' meaning someone’s goals were restrained by circumstances. It reflects a sophisticated grasp of control and verification.
At the mastery level, you appreciate the etymological depth of checked. From its origins in chess to its modern usage in technical verification and social control, it is a word that carries history. You use it to convey precision in academic writing and nuance in literary analysis.
Word in 30 Seconds
- It means to examine.
- It means to stop.
- It is a regular verb.
- It has chess origins.
When you use the word checked, you are usually talking about the act of looking at something to make sure it is correct. Think of it as a quick audit or a safety scan. Whether you are checking your homework or checking the oven, you are being careful and thorough.
Beyond just looking, checked can also mean to stop or slow something down. In sports like hockey, a player might 'check' an opponent to stop them from moving forward. It is a versatile word that shows up in almost every part of life, from simple daily tasks to intense physical competition.
The history of checked is actually quite fascinating! It comes from the Old French word 'eschec,' which was used in the game of chess. When a player put the king in danger, they would say 'check,' meaning the king was under attack or 'stopped.'
Over time, this idea of 'stopping' or 'verifying' moved into general English. By the 16th century, it was used to describe anything that was examined or verified. It is amazing how a game played hundreds of years ago gave us a word we use dozens of times every single day.
You will hear checked used in almost every situation. In a professional setting, you might say, 'I checked the report for errors.' In a casual setting, you might tell a friend, 'I checked to see if the store was open.'
Common collocations include 'checked the box,' 'checked the time,' and 'checked the facts.' It is a very neutral word, meaning it works well in both a formal report and a text message to a buddy. It is a staple of the English language.
There are many ways to use checked in idioms. 1. Check out: To look at something or investigate it. 2. Check in: To report your arrival at a hotel or airport. 3. Keep in check: To control or restrain something. 4. Rain check: A promise to do something at a later time. 5. Checkmate: The final move in chess, meaning the game is over.
As a verb, checked is the past tense and past participle of 'check.' It follows the regular rule of adding '-ed.' The pronunciation is a single syllable, ending in a 't' sound despite the spelling. IPA: /tʃɛkt/.
It rhymes with words like 'decked,' 'wrecked,' and 'necked.' Because it is a regular verb, it is easy to master. Just remember that the 'ed' ending sounds like a crisp 't' rather than an extra syllable.
Fun Fact
The word 'checkmate' comes from 'shah mat', meaning the king is helpless.
Examples by Level
I checked my bag.
I looked inside my bag.
Past tense verb.
He checked the time.
He looked at the clock.
Simple past.
She checked the door.
She made sure it was locked.
Regular verb.
We checked the list.
We read the list.
Subject-verb agreement.
They checked the food.
They looked at the meal.
Past tense.
I checked my email.
I opened my inbox.
Common activity.
He checked the weather.
He looked at the forecast.
Simple past.
She checked the map.
She looked for the way.
Regular verb.
I checked the oven to see if the cake was ready.
The teacher checked our homework yesterday.
Have you checked your messages today?
I checked the price before I bought the shoes.
He checked the tires on his car.
She checked the mirror before leaving.
We checked the hotel for vacancies.
They checked the rules of the game.
I checked with my boss before taking the day off.
The doctor checked my blood pressure.
She checked the facts before writing the article.
We checked into the hotel at noon.
He checked his impulse to laugh.
The police checked the security footage.
I checked the schedule to avoid delays.
She checked the alignment of the text.
The manager checked the quality of the production line.
He kept his emotions in check during the meeting.
We checked the validity of the claims.
The software checked for viruses automatically.
She checked the references in her thesis.
I checked the progress of the project.
The athlete checked his opponent’s move.
They checked the fine print of the contract.
His enthusiasm was checked by the harsh reality of the situation.
The committee checked the proposed legislation for loopholes.
She checked the spread of the disease with strict measures.
The audit checked the company's financial records thoroughly.
His power was checked by the board of directors.
The system checked the integrity of the data files.
She checked her stride as she approached the finish line.
The evidence checked the rumors spreading online.
The monarch's absolute power was checked by the new constitution.
His unchecked ego was finally checked by his peers.
The structural integrity was checked against rigorous standards.
The expansion of the empire was checked by local resistance.
She checked the flow of the river with a temporary dam.
The narrative was checked for historical inconsistencies.
His curiosity was checked by a sense of caution.
The development was checked by environmental regulations.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"check out"
to investigate
Let's check out that new store.
casual"rain check"
postpone an offer
Can I take a rain check?
casual"keep in check"
to control
Keep your temper in check.
neutral"checkmate"
end of a game
It was checkmate for his plans.
neutral"check up on"
to monitor someone
I will check up on him later.
casual"check in"
to report arrival
Did you check in at the hotel?
neutralEasily Confused
same sound
cheque is money, checked is a verb
I wrote a cheque.
similar root
checkered means a pattern
A checkered flag.
tense confusion
past vs present
I check now, I checked then.
synonyms
verified is more formal
I verified the data.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + checked + object
I checked the list.
Subject + checked + for + noun
I checked for errors.
Subject + checked + with + person
I checked with my boss.
Subject + checked + on + person
I checked on my mom.
Subject + checked + that + clause
I checked that it was safe.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
10
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Use past tense for completed actions.
Subject-verb agreement requires past tense.
Use present participle for continuous.
Use past participle after 'has'.
Passive voice requires past participle.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a giant checkmark on every item you check.
Native Speakers
Use it to confirm information quickly.
Cultural Insight
It is the standard word for airport luggage.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use 'checked' for past tense.
Say It Right
Don't say 'check-ed', say 'chekt'.
Don't Make This Mistake
Do not add an extra syllable.
Did You Know?
It comes from chess!
Study Smart
Learn it with phrasal verbs.
Business Tip
Use 'verified' for reports.
Rhyme Time
Rhymes with 'wrecked'.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
I checked the list and it was correct.
Visual Association
A person holding a clipboard with a checkmark.
Word Web
Challenge
Write down 5 things you checked today.
Word Origin
Old French/Persian
Original meaning: Shah (King) in chess
Cultural Context
None, very neutral.
Used constantly in daily life, especially in travel and business.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Travel
- checked my bags
- checked in
- checked the flight
Work
- checked the report
- checked the data
- checked the schedule
Home
- checked the oven
- checked the locks
- checked the mail
School
- checked my answers
- checked the assignment
- checked the deadline
Conversation Starters
"Have you checked the weather today?"
"What is the first thing you check in the morning?"
"Do you always check your emails?"
"Have you ever checked into a fancy hotel?"
"How do you check your work for mistakes?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you checked something important.
Describe a situation where you had to check your temper.
Why is it important to check facts?
What do you check before leaving the house?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsYes, it ends in -ed.
It sounds like a 't'.
Yes, like 'I checked on my friend'.
It implies looking with a purpose.
Checker or check.
Yes, especially in hockey.
Yes, like a checked tablecloth.
It is neutral and versatile.
Test Yourself
I ___ my bag before I left.
Past tense is needed.
What does 'checked' mean?
It means to inspect.
Can 'checked' mean to stop something?
Yes, it can mean to restrain.
Word
Meaning
These are common phrasal verbs.
Subject + verb + object.
He ___ his temper.
To control.
Which is a synonym for 'checked' in a formal context?
Verified is more formal.
The word 'checked' can describe a pattern.
Yes, like a checked shirt.
Word
Meaning
Context matters.
Passive voice structure.
Score: /10
Summary
To check is to verify, ensuring everything is in its right place.
- It means to examine.
- It means to stop.
- It is a regular verb.
- It has chess origins.
Memory Palace
Imagine a giant checkmark on every item you check.
Native Speakers
Use it to confirm information quickly.
Cultural Insight
It is the standard word for airport luggage.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use 'checked' for past tense.
Related Content
See it in Videos
Pronunciation Guide
Short 'e' sound ending in a 't'.
Crisp 't' sound at the end.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing the 'ed' as a separate syllable
- Adding an extra vowel sound
- Softening the 'ch' sound
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy
Easy
Easy
Easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Past tense regular verbs
walked, checked
Phrasal verbs
check in, check out
Passive voice
was checked
