A method of sequencing a primed template nucleic acid, comprising: a) a plurality of examination steps, each examination step comprising i) contacting a primed template nucleic acid with a polymerase and a combination of two or three types of test nucleotides, wherein if one of said types of test nucleotides is complementary to the next base of the primed template nucleic acid, a stabilized ternary complex between the polymerase, primed template nucleic acid and said test nucleotide is formed; and ii) monitoring formation of the ternary complex while precluding incorporation of test nucleotides into the primer; wherein the combination of two or three types of test nucleotides used in each examination step is different, wherein the same test nucleotide type is tested in more than one combination of nucleotides prior to the incorporation step, and wherein the identity of the next base is determined based on the results of said plurality of examination steps; the method of sequencing further comprising: (b) an incorporation step comprising incorporating into the primer, after step (a), a nucleotide that is complimentary to the next base; and (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) to identify a sequence of the primed template nucleic acid. a) a plurality of examination steps, each examination step comprising i) contacting a primed template nucleic acid with a polymerase and a combination of two or three types of test nucleotides, wherein if one of said types of test nucleotides is complementary to the next base of the primed template nucleic acid, a stabilized ternary complex between the polymerase, primed template nucleic acid and said test nucleotide is formed; and ii) monitoring formation of the ternary complex while precluding incorporation of test nucleotides into the primer; wherein the combination of two or three types of test nucleotides used in each examination step is different, wherein the same test nucleotide type is tested in more than one combination of nucleotides prior to the incorporation step, and wherein the identity of the next base is determined based on the results of said plurality of examination steps; the method of sequencing further comprising: i) contacting a primed template nucleic acid with a polymerase and a combination of two or three types of test nucleotides, wherein if one of said types of test nucleotides is complementary to the next base of the primed template nucleic acid, a stabilized ternary complex between the polymerase, primed template nucleic acid and said test nucleotide is formed; and ii) monitoring formation of the ternary complex while precluding incorporation of test nucleotides into the primer; wherein the combination of two or three types of test nucleotides used in each examination step is different, wherein the same test nucleotide type is tested in more than one combination of nucleotides prior to the incorporation step, and wherein the identity of the next base is determined based on the results of said plurality of examination steps; the method of sequencing further comprising: wherein the combination of two or three types of test nucleotides used in each examination step is different, wherein the same test nucleotide type is tested in more than one combination of nucleotides prior to the incorporation step, and wherein the identity of the next base is determined based on the results of said plurality of examination steps; the method of sequencing further comprising: (b) an incorporation step comprising incorporating into the primer, after step (a), a nucleotide that is complimentary to the next base; and (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) to identify a sequence of the primed template nucleic acid.