I'd like to know the difference(s) between the verbs go over, go through, look over and look through.There are other words that have similar meaning to these verbs too but I chose to compare these verbs because they contains the same prepositions, which are over and through, so this is very confusing for learners.
Here are the definitions by Oxford Dictionary
Go over :Consider, examine, or check (something)
Go through :Search through or examine methodically
Look over : Inspect something with a view to establishing its merits
Look through : Peruse (a book or other written material)
What I observe is that dictionaries cluster their synonyms as search and examine.
I am familiar with the verb go over that is used to mean study before exams and I think the verb go through implies more detailed examination whereas look over means more like check out (appearance of something) quickly or superficially more than a office document which contains financial figures.
I read also these verbs may have an ambiguous meaning without a context but let's go over them.
Some examples from various dictionaries:
In the competition, the judge goes over each dog and assesses it.
Dave went through his pockets looking for the keys.
Customs officers went through all my bags.
Forensic scientists are going over the victim's flat in a search for clues about the murderer.
We're are still going over the details of the contract.
It's a good idea to get someone to go over your application form before you submit it.
Do you have a few minutes to look these samples over?
Students were given five minutes to look through the examination paper before they were told the start writing.
Best Answer
As with any good Chinese menu
The terms
means to see what is visible on the surface, not too much involvement
means to try to do something, which mean more involvement
means to superficially cover
means to use effort (to move dirt around, in the literal example)
In order of intensity of activity (one from column A, one from column B)
Arguably, in your dictionary sentences, one could say