check the inventory

Meaning

This expression means to count, inspect, or verify the list of goods, products, or materials currently in stock. It is typically used in retail, manufacturing, logistics, and office management to ensure there are enough supplies or items to sell.

Examples

• The store manager asked me to check the inventory before we place a new order.

  The store manager asked me to check the inventory before we place a new order.

• We need to check the inventory every month to account for any missing items.

  We need to check the inventory every month to account for any missing items.

• Can you check the inventory to see if we have any laptop chargers left in stock?

  Can you check the inventory to see if we have any laptop chargers left in stock?

• They shut down the warehouse for a day to check the inventory thoroughly.

  They shut down the warehouse for a day to check the inventory thoroughly.

• Before launching the sale, we must check the inventory to avoid overselling.

  Before launching the sale, we must check the inventory to avoid overselling.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I need to control the inventory in the warehouse.

  ✓ I need to check the inventory in the warehouse.

  Using 'control' to mean 'verify stock levels' is a common translation mistake. Use 'check' or 'take' inventory instead.

• ✗ Please check the inventories before ordering.

  ✓ Please check the inventory before ordering.

  In this business context, 'inventory' is usually used as an uncountable or singular collective noun. 'Inventories' is rarely used unless referring to multiple distinct warehouses.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Every Friday, it is our duty to ___ ___ ___ and reorder office supplies.

  💡 verify stock levels

  Show answer

  check the inventory

• The system says we have ten items, but we should ___ ___ ___ manually to be sure.

  💡 physically inspect the products

  Show answer

  check the inventory