I. sur ‧ vey 1 S2 W2 AC /ˈsɜːveɪ $ ˈsɜːr-/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ survey , ↑ surveyor ; verb : ↑ survey ]
1 . a set of questions that you ask a large number of people in order to find out about their opinions or behaviour ⇨ poll
carry out/conduct a survey (=do a survey)
We conducted a survey of parents in the village.
survey of
a survey of US businesses
survey shows/reveals (that)
The survey showed that Britain’s trees are in good health.
2 . an examination of an area of land in order to make a map of it ⇨ surveyor
3 . British English an examination of a house or other building done especially for someone who wants to buy it ⇨ surveyor
4 . a general description or report about a particular subject or situation:
a survey of modern English literature
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COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ carry out/do a survey
The survey was carried out by Warwick University.
▪ conduct a survey formal (=do a survey)
a survey conducted by the British Medical Association.
▪ a survey shows/reveals something
Our survey showed that many women are afraid to go out alone at night.
▪ a survey finds something
A survey found that 37 percent of students were born outside the country.
▪ a survey suggests something
Recent surveys suggest that these are the foreign languages most in demand by employers.
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + survey
▪ a recent/new survey
According to a recent survey, students buy an average of 11.33 books a year for their courses.
▪ an annual survey
Every council will be required to conduct an annual survey of residents.
▪ a national survey
A national survey revealed that one in four 15-year-olds smokes regularly.
▪ an extensive survey
We conducted an extensive survey asking patients to suggest ways in which the service could be improved.
▪ a detailed survey
The author carried out a detailed survey of 32 organizations in Japan and Korea.
▪ an opinion survey
Opinion surveys showed consistently that unemployment remained a matter of concern.
▪ a customer survey
They have begun to listen carefully to their customers, through customer surveys, focus groups, etc.
■ phrases
▪ the results of a survey
The results of the survey have not yet been analysed.
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THESAURUS
▪ investigation a process in which the police or another organization try to find out the truth about a crime or accident:
Following a major police investigation, two men were arrested.
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The investigation into the causes of the air crash are continuing.
▪ inquiry an official process to find out why something happened, which usually takes several months or years:
Local people are calling for an inquiry into the accident.
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An independent inquiry found serious shortcomings at the children’s home.
▪ case a matter that police or officials are trying to find out information about, especially so that it can be dealt with in a court of law:
The case has never been solved.
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The police say it is one of the most puzzling cases they have had to deal with.
▪ probe an investigation in which many questions are asked to find out the truth about something – used especially in journalism:
The TV show featured a probe into charges charged by high street banks.
▪ inquest a legal investigation to find out why someone died:
The inquest heard that Mr Swan was poisoned.
▪ survey a process in which people are asked questions in order to find out about their opinions or about their behaviour:
They did a survey to find out the most popular pop star.
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Based on a survey of 250 companies, the report says that ‘ over two thirds of companies expect operating costs to increase as a result of addressing environmental issues.
▪ autopsy British English a medical examination of a dead person’s body, to find out why that person died:
If she died of a drug overdose, it would show up in the autopsy.
II. sur ‧ vey 2 AC /səˈveɪ $ sər-/ BrE AmE verb [transitive]
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ survey , ↑ surveyor ; verb : ↑ survey ]
[ Date: 1400-1500 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: surveeir 'to look over' , from sur- ( ⇨ ↑ surcharge ) + veeir 'to see' ]
1 . [usually passive] to ask a large number of people questions in order to find out their attitudes or opinions:
Of the 100 companies surveyed, 10% had a turnover of £50 m to £99 m.
2 . to look at or consider someone or something carefully, especially in order to form an opinion about them:
She turned to survey her daughter’s pale face.
They got out of the car to survey the damage.
3 . British English to examine the condition of a house or other building and make a report on it, especially for people who want to buy it
4 . to examine and measure an area of land and record the details on a map:
There were many voyages to survey the ocean depths in the nineteenth century.