Check out is a phrasal verb with three everyday jobs: leaving a hotel after paying, looking at something with interest, and borrowing a library item. A sentence shows which sense you mean through its object: an engine is examined, a room is vacated, and a book is borrowed. In speech the verb is separable: check it out.
Check out at a glance
- Check out is a phrasal verb that is separable in its look-at sense; its forms are checks out, checked out and checking out.
- The pattern is check out + noun, or check + noun + out, with no change in meaning.
- A pronoun must sit between the parts: check it out, never check out it.
- The hotel sense is intransitive and takes of before the place: check out of the hotel.
- The commonest error is the almighty one-word spelling checkout for the verb.
What does check out mean?
Check out is a phrasal verb whose meaning depends on its object and its setting. The Cambridge entry for check out lists the hotel and inspection senses first, with the library and alibi senses following. One limitation is worth stating plainly: check out is informal in the look-at sense, so a formal report writes examine a claim or review instead.
| Sense | Plain meaning | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Leave a hotel | Settle the bill and vacate a room | We checked out before breakfast. |
| Examine or look at | Inspect something with interest | Check out the engine before you buy. |
| Prove to be true | Turn out to be correct or acceptable | Her alibi checked out. |
| Borrow an item | Take a library item on loan | I checked out two books on insects. |
When the point is to verify a fact rather than to browse, the formal register prefers verify or confirm. The alibi sense of check out is the only one that means the checking is finished and the result is positive.
How do you use check out in a sentence?
Check out is transitive in the examine sense and intransitive in the hotel sense. It is separable when an object follows, and the particle can strand after a full noun but never after a pronoun. That single rule explains most of the errors learners make.
| Pattern | Example | What it signals |
|---|---|---|
| check + out + noun | Check out the new timetable. | Separable with a noun object; out follows the verb. |
| check + noun + out | Check the new timetable out. | Same meaning; both orders are correct with a full noun. |
| check + pronoun + out | Check it out. | A pronoun can never follow out; it must sit in the middle. |
| check out (no object) | We checked out at nine. | Intransitive; the hotel sense takes no object at all. |
| check out of + place | Guests check out of the hotel by noon. | Formal, with of naming the place being left. |
Watch the difference between the two transitive senses in writing. Check out the room means inspect it, while check out of the room means leave it, and dropping the preposition reverses the meaning of the sentence.
Check out in a sentence: examples across contexts
One verb covers a hotel lobby, a repair shop, a library and a courtroom. The nine sentences below spread it across those settings, and each one shows which sense is active. In the hotel sense the action is close to depart, except that check out always settles the bill first.
| Context | Example sentence | Why this works |
|---|---|---|
| Travel | We checked out of the hostel before the early train. | Uses of to name the place being left, which avoids ambiguity. |
| Repair shop | Check out the brake pads before the long drive. | Shows the examine sense with a concrete mechanical object. |
| Library | She checked out three novels for the holiday. | Uses the borrow sense, where the library, not the reader, owns the item. |
| Workplace email | Please check out the draft budget this morning. | A polite, informal request to review a document. |
| News report | Detectives confirmed that the suspect’s account checked out. | Uses the intransitive sense with a verified claim as subject. |
| Formal report | Inspectors reviewed the wiring on site. | Shows the formal replacement for the informal look-at sense. |
| Online writing | Check out the gallery before you read the review. | Points a reader to content, the commonest web use. |
| Customer service | You can check out any time before midnight. | States a deadline with the intransitive hotel sense. |
| Conversation | I checked it out and the paint was still wet. | The pronoun between verb and particle is the spoken pattern. |
Notice how often the object decides the sense. Change the noun after the same verb and the sentence moves from a hotel desk to a repair bay.
Check out vs check in
Check out is usually taught as the opposite of check in, and the contrast is the fastest way to fix the direction of each verb.
| Attribute | check out | check in |
|---|---|---|
| Core action | Leave and settle a bill | Arrive and register |
| Typical place | A hotel, a clinic or a library desk | A hotel, an airport or a hospital |
| Direction | Away from a place | Into a place |
| Object pattern | Takes an object when it means examine | Usually intransitive |
| Register | Neutral, and informal for look at | Neutral in every setting |
| Example | We checked out before the tour. | We checked in after lunch. |
Verdict: use check out to leave or to examine, and check in to arrive or to register; the preposition of follows check out, while at or into follows check in.
Word forms and grammar of check out
Check out inflects regularly, and its noun is written as one word. Two neighbours worth keeping straight are check into, which means to register at a place, and check off, which means to tick an item on a list.
| Form | Part of speech | Example |
|---|---|---|
| check out | base phrasal verb | We should check out the venue first. |
| checks out | third person singular | The arithmetic checks out. |
| checked out | past and past participle | They checked out the rumour quickly. |
| checking out | present participle | She is checking out the new bakery. |
| checkout | noun, one word | The checkout closes at nine. |
| check-out | attributive, hyphenated | Check-out time is eleven o’clock. |
| check out it | non-standard word order | Write check it out instead. |
The noun and the verb are spelled differently for a reason: the single-word checkout is a place, while the two-word check out is an action.
Common mistakes with check out
- Incorrect:
Check out it before you leave.Correct: Check it out before you leave. Rule: a pronoun object must sit between the verb and the particle. - Incorrect:
We checked out the hotel at noon.Correct: We checked out of the hotel at noon. Rule: without of, the sentence means you examined the hotel rather than left it. - Incorrect:
I need to check out the library a book.Correct: I need to check out a book from the library. Rule: the borrowed item is the object, and from introduces the source. - Incorrect:
His story checked out true.Correct: His story checked out. Rule: the prove-right sense is intransitive, so no adjective follows. - Incorrect:
Please inspect out the wiring.Correct: Please inspect the wiring. Rule: the formal verb inspect does not take the particle out.
Practice using check out
Work through the six items, then check the reasoning rather than only the answer.
- Fill the gap: We ______ ______ of the guesthouse before sunrise.
- Choose the better word: A formal audit will (check out / inspect) the accounts next month.
- Correct the error: Check out it when the delivery arrives.
- Build a sentence: use check out in the library sense about two books.
- Spot the register: which belongs in an official report — the team checked out the site, or the team surveyed the site.
- Rewrite with a pronoun: Examine the new map. Use check out and a pronoun.
Answers
- checked … out — the intransitive hotel sense takes of before the place.
- inspect — an audit calls for the formal verb, not the informal phrasal one.
- Check it out when the delivery arrives — the pronoun goes in the middle.
- Model answer: I checked out two books on volcanoes from the library.
- The team surveyed the site — a formal report avoids the casual look-at sense.
- Check it out — the pronoun must sit between the verb and the particle.
The bottom line
Use check out in a sentence to leave a place, to look at something, or to borrow an item, and let the object tell the reader which sense is meant. Two details decide most sentences: the verb is separable only when an object follows, with a pronoun always in the middle, and the hotel sense needs of before the place, because check out the hotel means something else entirely.
Frequently asked questions about check out
Is check out one word or two?
The verb is always two words: check out. The noun for the place where you pay is one word, checkout, and the attributive adjective is hyphenated, as in check-out time. So you check out of a hotel, then walk through the checkout with your bags.
What does check out mean at a library?
At a library, check out means to borrow an item on loan: you check out a book, and the library records that it is with you. The borrowed item is the object of the verb, and from introduces the library it came from.
How do you use check out in the past tense?
The past tense and past participle are both checked out. The past tense reports a finished action, as in we checked out at nine, while the participle forms the perfect, as in the guest has checked out. No other form is needed.
Is check out formal enough for a report?
Not in its look-at sense, which belongs to speech and informal writing. A report uses inspect, examine or review instead. The hotel and library senses are neutral, so they sit happily in formal notices, and a claim that checks out is reported without any problem.
Are you looking to add some flair to your writing? “Check out” is a popular phrase used to suggest that someone should take a look at something or give it a try. It’s commonly used to recommend music, movies, restaurants, products, or anything of interest.
In casual conversation, “check out” can be a friendly way to share recommendations or point someone towards something cool. It’s a versatile phrase that can be used in various contexts to express enthusiasm or encourage exploration.
7 Examples Of Check Out Used In a Sentence For Kids
- Check out the colorful butterflies in the garden.
- Let’s check out the new books in the library.
- Check out the shiny cars at the car show.
- Check out the amazing animals at the zoo.
- We should check out the beautiful flowers in the park.
- Check out the big planes at the airport.
- Check out the delicious fruits at the market.
14 Sentences with Check Out Examples
- Check out the new coffee shop near the campus, it’s perfect for studying.
- You should check out that book in the library, it will really help with your assignment.
- Let’s check out the upcoming events at the college festival this weekend.
- Check out this awesome website for free study resources for your exams.
- Make sure to check out the latest edition of the college newsletter for important updates.
- Have you checked out the new food joint that opened recently near the college gate?
- It’s a good idea to check out the extracurricular activities available on campus.
- You should check out the career guidance workshop happening next week.
- Check out the academic calendar to stay updated on important dates and deadlines.
- Don’t forget to check out the discounted student deals at the nearby shopping mall.
- Have you checked out the sports facilities on campus? They’re really great.
- Let’s check out the study group session for that tough subject tomorrow.
- Remember to check out the college website for any last-minute announcements.
- Check out the resources available at the college library for your research project.
How To Use Check Out in Sentences?
When using Check Out in a sentence, it is important to know that this phrase can be used in different contexts. Here are some examples to help you understand how to properly use it:
- To indicate completing a purchase: “I will check out these items at the cash register.”
- To suggest leaving a place: “Let’s check out of the hotel before noon.”
- To recommend exploring something further: “You should check out the new restaurant in town.”
Remember that “Check Out” is a phrasal verb, which means it consists of two or more words that function as a single unit. It is important to use it accordingly in a sentence to convey the intended meaning clearly.
When using “Check Out,” make sure to pay attention to the context in which it is being used to ensure accurate communication. Whether you are referring to making a payment, leaving a location, or exploring something new, using “Check Out” appropriately will help you convey your message effectively.
In summary, Check Out can be a versatile phrase in English that can be used in various situations. By understanding its different meanings and contexts, you can incorporate it into your sentences accurately.
Conclusion
In conclusion, using sentences with “check out” helps convey a variety of meanings and contexts, from exploring a place or item to assessing something for payment or inspection. Whether you are encouraging someone to look at a website, take a closer look at a product, or verifying the accuracy of information, the phrase “check out” is versatile and commonly used in everyday language. By incorporating this phrase into your communication, you can effectively guide someone to observe, review, or examine something of interest.
By mastering different ways to construct sentences with “check out,” you can enhance your ability to express curiosity, recommend content, or prompt action. Whether in casual conversations or professional settings, the phrase “check out” can efficiently convey your intentions and engage others in exploring and evaluating various subjects.
