What Does “Check sb off” Mean?
“Check sb off” means to mark someone’s name on a list to show they are present, completed a task, or have been accounted for.
Introduction
The phrase “Check sb off” is commonly used in English when referring to marking someone’s name on a list, especially to confirm attendance or completion. This phrasal verb is helpful in many situations, such as schools, workplaces, or events, where keeping track of people is important. Understanding the “Check sb off meaning” will help you use it naturally in conversations and writing. It is a simple, practical expression that often appears in both spoken and written English. Whether you are a teacher taking attendance or a manager confirming tasks, “Check sb off” is a useful phrase to know.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: Check sb off (check somebody off)
- Type: Transitive
- Level: A2–B1 (Elementary to Intermediate)
- Short meaning: To mark someone’s name on a list to show they are present or completed something
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Check sb off” is a separable phrasal verb. This means you can place the object (sb = somebody) between the verb and the particle or after the particle.
- Check sb off
- Check off sb
Examples:
- We need to check the students off before the class starts.
- Can you check off the names on this list?
How to Use “Check sb off”?
Use “Check sb off” when you want to show that you are marking someone’s name or confirming their presence or task completion. It is often used in contexts like attendance, lists, or task management. The phrase is practical and direct, making it ideal for both formal and informal situations.
Examples
- The teacher checked off the students as they entered the classroom.
- Before the meeting started, the secretary checked everyone off the attendance list.
- Make sure you check off all the participants after the event.
- He checked me off the list and gave me my ID badge.
- They checked off the volunteers who arrived early.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: Please check off the list the names of the guests.
- Correct: Please check off the names of the guests on the list.
- Incorrect: I will check the off guests now.
- Correct: I will check off the guests now.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrases include “tick off,” “mark off,” and “cross off.” However, “check sb off” specifically refers to marking names on a list to confirm presence or completion.
- Tick off: Often used in British English, similar to “check off.”
- Mark off: More general, can refer to marking items or areas.
- Cross off: Means to remove from a list, not just mark as present.
Use “check sb off” when confirming attendance rather than removing someone from a list.
Common Collocations
- Check sb off the list
- Check sb off attendance
- Check sb off the register
- Check sb off the roster
- Check sb off the schedule
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of check sb off:
Real-life Dialogue
Anna: Have you checked everyone off the list for the meeting?
Tom: Yes, I checked off all the attendees as they arrived.
Anna: Great! That makes it easier to keep track.
Practice
Fill in the blank with the correct phrase:
Before the event started, the coordinator ________ all the volunteers on the list.
- a) checked off
- b) crossed out
- c) ticked out
- d) checked out
FAQs
- Q: Can “check sb off” be used for tasks?
A: Yes, it can mean marking someone as having completed a task. - Q: Is “check sb off” formal or informal?
A: It is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. - Q: Can I say “check off sb”?
A: Yes, but it sounds less natural. “Check sb off” is more common. - Q: Does “check sb off” mean to remove someone?
A: No, it means to mark them as present or accounted for, not removed. - Q: Is “check sb off” used worldwide?
A: Yes, it is widely understood in English-speaking countries.
