check on — to look at someone or something to make sure everything is all right
phrasal verbB1IELTS 5+neutralcommon
to see or ask if someone or something is okay, especially to make sure there are no problems.
Say it like a native
Textbook I went to verify that the children were safe and well.
Native I went to check on the kids.
'Check on someone' is the everyday verb for making sure they're okay; 'verify that they were safe and well' is stiff.
Pattern: check on + noun/pronoun
In use
- I called my neighbor to check on her after I heard about the storm.daily life
- In my opinion, it's important to check on elderly relatives regularly to make sure they're safe and comfortable.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ I'll check on to the dinner.
✓ I'll check on the dinner.
'Check on something' — no 'to'.
Common collocations
check on + person/thing— the kids, the dinner, your mum, things
Don't confuse it
'Check' alone can mean to look at something briefly or to examine it, but 'check on' means to make sure everything is fine or as expected.