Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to say “scanned.” Whether you are looking for formal or informal ways to express this term, we have got you covered. In this guide, we will also touch base on regional variations, but mainly focus on standard variations. So, let’s dive right in!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “Scanned”
If you need a more formal way to express the action of scanning a document or image, consider these alternatives:
- Digitized: This formal term implies converting physical documents or images into a digital format using a scanner. For instance, “I digitized the contract and sent it via email.”
- Captured: This term refers to the process of capturing an image or document using a scanner. For example, “She captured the image using a high-resolution scanner.”
- Imaged: When you use the word “imaged,” it implies creating a digital copy of a document or image using a scanner. An example would be, “He imaged the old family photos for safekeeping.”
- Optical Character Recognition (OCR): This is a technique used to convert different types of printed or written material into digital text that can be edited and searched. For example, “The scanning software used OCR to convert the printed text into editable content.”
Informal Ways to Say “Scanned”
For more casual conversations, you might find these informal expressions more suitable:
- Scanned: While “scanned” itself is a widely accepted term regardless of formality, in casual situations, it is perfectly fine to use it. For example, “I scanned the flyer and saved it as a PDF.”
- Checked out: This expression is often used to describe the act of scanning a document to quickly review or get a general idea of its contents. For instance, “I quickly checked out the report, but didn’t have time to read it in detail.”
- Ran through: If you want to convey the idea of running a document or image through a scanner without going into much detail, this expression could be useful. For instance, “She ran through the document to ensure it was properly scanned.”
- Gave it a once-over: This phrase is often used to mean scanning or quickly reviewing a document or image, usually with less emphasis on accuracy or thoroughness. For example, “I gave the brochure a quick once-over and shared my initial thoughts.”
Regional Variations
As for regional variations, there aren’t significant differences in how to say “scanned” across English-speaking regions. However, there may be slight variations in colloquial expressions and commonly used terms. Here’s an example of a regional variation:
In some parts of the United Kingdom, you might hear the term “whizzed through” used to mean scanning a document quickly. For instance, “He whizzed through the papers to find the required information.”
Tips and Examples for Clarity
To ensure clarity and effective communication, consider these tips when talking about scanning:
- Specify the method: Instead of just saying “I scanned the document,” consider adding the method used, such as “I scanned the document using a flatbed scanner.”
- Be clear about the purpose: To provide more context, specify why you performed the scan, for example, “I scanned the receipt for reimbursement purposes.”
- Consider the output format: If relevant, mention the format in which the document or image was saved, such as “I scanned the photo and saved it as a JPEG file.”
Now that you are familiar with various formal and informal ways to say “scanned,” as well as some regional variations and helpful tips, you can confidently discuss scanning activities in any situation!
