When writing in English, you may come across terms that seem similar, such as ‘check up’ and ‘checkup.’ In the case of the sentence ‘I am 13-years-old and getting a check up on my braces,’ you might wonder if ‘check up’ should be written as ‘checkup.’ Let’s break down the difference and understand which one is correct.
Understanding ‘Check Up’ and ‘Checkup’
‘Check up’ and ‘checkup’ are often confused, but they are used differently. ‘Check up’ is a phrasal verb, while ‘checkup’ is a noun. The phrase ‘check up’ refers to the act of examining or inspecting something, often used with a verb (e.g., ‘I will check up on something’). On the other hand, ‘checkup’ is a noun that refers to a medical examination, like a dentist’s checkup or a routine physical examination.
Correct Usage in Context
In your example, ‘I am 13-years-old and getting a check up on my braces,’ the correct form would be ‘checkup,’ as you are referring to the noun describing the medical exam for your braces. So, the correct sentence should be: ‘I am 13-years-old and getting a checkup on my braces.’
When to Use ‘Check Up’
‘Check up’ would be used in sentences where the phrase acts as a verb, for example, ‘I will check up on my braces.’ Here, ‘check up’ is a verb phrase, meaning to examine or verify something.
Grammar Tip: Why ‘Checkup’ Works in Your Sentence
Since ‘checkup’ refers to the noun form of a medical examination, it is appropriate to use it when talking about routine doctor visits, dental checkups, or other forms of health evaluations. This is a simple rule to remember, as using the right word ensures clarity in your writing.
Summary
To summarize, in the sentence ‘I am 13-years-old and getting a check up on my braces,’ the correct form is ‘checkup’ because you’re referring to the noun describing the medical examination. Remember, ‘checkup’ is used when referring to a medical exam, while ‘check up’ is a verb used to describe the act of examining something.
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