Reviewing & Investigating

Meaning

To review or check something carefully — to go through it in detail to make sure everything is correct.

Example

"Let's go over the proposal one more time before we send it to the client."

Conversation questions

• How do you usually go over your work before submitting it?
• Do you prefer to go over things alone or with a colleague?

Meaning

To quickly check or scan something — a lighter review than going over something in detail.

Example

"Can you look over this report before we send it out? Just a quick check."

Conversation questions

• What do you always look over before presenting something?
• Have you ever sent something without looking it over first? What happened?

Meaning

To investigate or research a problem or situation — to find out more about what happened or what is needed.

Example

"We'll look into the cause of the technical problem and report back by Friday."

Conversation questions

• What problem have you had to look into recently at work or in your studies?
• Who do you usually ask to look into something when you don't have time yourself?

Meaning

To support an idea, claim, or argument — to provide evidence or reasoning that strengthens a point.

Example

"Please back up your argument with data before the board meeting."

Conversation questions

• How do you back up your opinions when discussing something important at work?
• What kind of evidence do you find most convincing when someone backs up a claim?

Meaning

To divide something complex into smaller, more manageable parts — to make it easier to understand or handle.

Example

"We need to break down this project into weekly tasks so the team can track progress."

Conversation questions

• How do you break down a big goal into small steps?
• When presenting data, how do you break it down for a non-specialist audience?