проверять vs проверить
proveryat vs proverit — check repeatedly/in progress vs check and confirm once
Register: neutral
What it really means
Проверять is imperfective for checking as a process, routine, or repeated action. Проверить is perfective for checking something once through to a result. They take the object checked in the accusative.
Use проверить in a request to verify a particular detail; use проверять for duties such as checking tickets every day.
Examples in natural speech
Контролёр проверяет билеты.
The inspector is checking tickets.
Я всегда проверяю адрес.
I always check the address.
Проверь, пожалуйста, ответ.
Please check the answer.
Она проверила почту.
She checked her email.
Нам нужно проверить документы.
We need to check the documents.
Common mistakes
Проверить means verify or inspect; it does not necessarily mean correct. For “check someone’s work” it can mean evaluate it, depending on context.
Memory tip
The perfective form means the check has been carried through.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between проверять and проверить?
Проверять is ongoing, repeated, or routine checking. Проверить is one completed check.
How do you say please check?
Say “Проверь, пожалуйста.” Add the item in the accusative if needed.
What case does проверить take?
Use the accusative: проверить билет, проверить адрес, проверить ответ.
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