Checkup or Check up: Which Is Correct?
Updated · Which One Is Correct editorial team
Quick answer: The terms checkup and check up are both correct, but they serve different grammatical roles. Use the one-word form checkup as a noun referring to an examination. Use the two-word form check up as a verb phrase meaning to investigate or verify information.
The Short Answer
Both forms are correct, yet they function differently in standard English grammar. The noun is always written as the single word checkup, while the verb action is written as the separate words check up.
People often confuse them because the spoken sounds are identical and the meaning overlaps slightly. The error usually stems from not recognizing whether the term acts as a thing or an action in the specific sentence structure.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Form | Status | Use it when |
|---|---|---|
| checkup | Standard Noun | Referring to a medical examination or review |
| check up | Standard Verb Phrase | Describing the action of verifying or investigating |
| Check-Up | Non-Standard | Avoid hyphenation in modern professional writing |
| Checkup | Standard Noun | Any context requiring a noun subject or object |
Correct Example Sentences
- I scheduled my annual dental checkup for this Tuesday afternoon.
- Please check up on the new employee during her first week.
- The mechanic recommended a thorough vehicle checkup before the trip.
- You must check up on those facts before publishing the article.
- A routine health checkup can detect issues early on.
- I need to check up on the status of my loan application.
- The doctor found nothing concerning during my last checkup.
- She decided to check up on her neighbors who were away.
- Bring your previous checkup results to the new specialist.
- We will check up on the project progress next Monday morning.
Common Mistakes and Fixes
- I need to go to the doctor for a check up.
- I need to go to the doctor for a checkup.
- The nurse will checkup on the patient immediately.
- The nurse will check up on the patient immediately.
- Can you checkup the facts in this report?
- Can you check up on the facts in this report?
- He missed his yearly physical check up last year.
- He missed his yearly physical checkup last year.
- I should checkup the locks before leaving the house.
- I should check up on the locks before leaving the house.
- The annual checkup is essential for senior citizens.
- The annual checkup is essential for senior citizens.
A Quick Test You Can Use
Determine if the term replaces a thing or describes an action. If you can substitute the word with examination or review, write it as the single noun checkup. If you can substitute it with investigate or verify, write it as the two-word verb phrase check up.
Related Word Pairs
- setup vs set up
- Use setup as a noun for arrangement; use set up as a verb for arranging.
- signup vs sign up
- Use signup for the registration process; use sign up for the action of registering.
- followup vs follow up
- Use followup as a noun for subsequent contact; use follow up as a verb for contacting.
- makeup vs make up
- Use makeup for cosmetics or composition; use make up for creating or reconciling.
- checkmark vs check mark
- Use checkmark as the standard noun for the symbol; check mark is less common.
More Example Sentences
- The veterinarian scheduled a routine checkup for the family dog.
- Please check up on the server status before the meeting starts.
- We need to perform a safety checkup on all fire extinguishers.
- Can you check up on the shipment to ensure it arrived on time?
- Her yearly dental checkup revealed no new cavities.
- I will check up on the interns during their first week of training.
- The mechanic advised a full vehicle checkup before the long road trip.
- Let us check up on the budget figures one more time.
- A thorough home checkup can prevent costly repairs later.
- Could you check up on the guest room and make sure it is tidy?
- His annual health checkup showed improved cholesterol levels.
- I need to check up on the deadline for the final report.
Quick Practice
Please on the new hires to ensure they have everything they need.
check up
The car passed its annual safety .
checkup
I will on the project status tomorrow morning.
check up
A routine health can detect potential issues early.
checkup
Could you on the supplies before the workshop begins?
check up
The pilot completed a pre-flight of all instruments.
checkup
Frequently Asked Questions
Is checkup one word or two words?
Checkup is always one word when used as a noun. It refers to a medical examination or a general review. If you are using it as a verb phrase, then it becomes two words.
Can I use a hyphen in check-up?
Most modern style guides and dictionaries recommend against hyphenating this term. You should write it as one word for the noun and two words for the verb instead of using a hyphen.
What is the difference between checkup and check up?
The difference lies in their grammatical function. Checkup is a noun that names an event or thing. Check up is a verb phrase that describes the action of investigating or verifying something.
How do I use check up in a sentence?
Use check up when describing the act of verifying information or looking after someone. For example, you might say that you need to check up on the details or check up on a friend.
