Checked out/up/on the new territory

Question

We let the dog into the yard, and it checked out the new territory.Hi,Is "checked out" in the above equal to "checked, checked up, and checked on?" If not, what are the differences? Thanks.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

No.  The phrase "checked out" is unique and means "looked around" or "tried out."

Angliholic · Answer

Thanks, Anony.

But don't "checked, checked up, and checked on" also connote the meaning of "looked around?"

BarbaraPA · Answer

No.

I checked [on] the cookies, but they weren't done. -- I looked at something to see if a paricular condition was met.

Angliholic · Answer

Thanks, GG.

What are the basic differences among check, check up, and check out?

BarbaraPA · Answer

If you "check up on" someone, you are making sure they are doing what they are supposed to be doing.

If you "check" or "check on" something, you are making sure an expected condition is met, or finding out new information.

If you "check out" something, you investigate it.

Anonymous · Answer

In the sentence, "We let the dog into the yard, and it checked out the new territory.", you can only use "checked out." "Checked", "checked up", and "checked on" would not be right here - these words are used with a human subject (and often in a technical sense) and can't be used with a dog. "Checked out" can be used with a human or a dog - this is a friendly verb that has much more flexible usage than the other three verbs.

"Checked up" requires the preposition "on," as in: "He checked up on the new tenant." "Checked on" is used for example in: "She checked on the roast to make sure it was not burning." "Checked" is used for example in: "He checked the meter readings again, and they were the same."

Checked out/up/on the new territory

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