diff --git a/test_regress/t/t_array_method.v b/test_regress/t/t_array_method.v
index 5326a500a..1f952fad6 100644
--- a/test_regress/t/t_array_method.v
+++ b/test_regress/t/t_array_method.v
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 
 `define stop $stop
 `define checkh(gotv,expv) do if ((gotv) !== (expv)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='h%x exp='h%x\n", `__FILE__,`__LINE__, (gotv), (expv)); `stop; end while(0);
-`define checks(gotv,expv) do if ((gotv) !== (expv)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='%s' exp='%s'\n", `__FILE__,`__LINE__, (gotv), (expv)); `stop; end while(0);
+`define checkp(gotv,expv_s) do begin string gotv_s; gotv_s = $sformatf("%p", gotv); if ((gotv_s) !== (expv_s)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='%s' exp='%s'\n", `__FILE__,`__LINE__, (gotv_s), (expv_s)); `stop; end end while(0);
 
 module t (/*AUTOARG*/);
    initial begin
@@ -17,65 +17,65 @@ module t (/*AUTOARG*/);
       string v;
 
       q = '{1, 2, 2, 4, 3};
-      v = $sformatf("%p", q); `checks(v, "'{'h1, 'h2, 'h2, 'h4, 'h3} ");
+      `checkp(q, "'{'h1, 'h2, 'h2, 'h4, 'h3} ");
 
       // NOT tested: with ... selectors
 
       q.sort;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", q); `checks(v, "'{'h1, 'h2, 'h2, 'h3, 'h4} ");
+      `checkp(q, "'{'h1, 'h2, 'h2, 'h3, 'h4} ");
       q.sort with (item == 2);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", q); `checks(v, "'{'h1, 'h3, 'h4, 'h2, 'h2} ");
+      `checkp(q, "'{'h1, 'h3, 'h4, 'h2, 'h2} ");
       q.sort(x) with (x == 3);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", q); `checks(v, "'{'h1, 'h4, 'h2, 'h2, 'h3} ");
+      `checkp(q, "'{'h1, 'h4, 'h2, 'h2, 'h3} ");
 
       q.rsort;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", q); `checks(v, "'{'h4, 'h3, 'h2, 'h2, 'h1} ");
+      `checkp(q, "'{'h4, 'h3, 'h2, 'h2, 'h1} ");
       q.rsort with (item == 2);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", q); `checks(v, "'{'h2, 'h2, 'h4, 'h3, 'h1} ");
+      `checkp(q, "'{'h2, 'h2, 'h4, 'h3, 'h1} ");
 
       qv = q.unique;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qv); `checks(v, "'{'h2, 'h4, 'h3, 'h1} ");
+      `checkp(qv, "'{'h2, 'h4, 'h3, 'h1} ");
       qi = q.unique_index; qi.sort;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qi); `checks(v, "'{'h0, 'h2, 'h3, 'h4} ");
+      `checkp(qi, "'{'h0, 'h2, 'h3, 'h4} ");
       q.reverse;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", q); `checks(v, "'{'h1, 'h3, 'h4, 'h2, 'h2} ");
+      `checkp(q, "'{'h1, 'h3, 'h4, 'h2, 'h2} ");
       q.shuffle(); q.sort;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", q); `checks(v, "'{'h1, 'h2, 'h2, 'h3, 'h4} ");
+      `checkp(q, "'{'h1, 'h2, 'h2, 'h3, 'h4} ");
 
       // These require an with clause or are illegal
       // TODO add a lint check that with clause is provided
       qv = q.find with (item == 2);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qv); `checks(v, "'{'h2, 'h2} ");
+      `checkp(qv, "'{'h2, 'h2} ");
       qv = q.find_first with (item == 2);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qv); `checks(v, "'{'h2} ");
+      `checkp(qv, "'{'h2} ");
       qv = q.find_last with (item == 2);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qv); `checks(v, "'{'h2} ");
+      `checkp(qv, "'{'h2} ");
 
       qv = q.find with (item == 20);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qv); `checks(v, "'{}");
+      `checkp(qv, "'{}");
       qv = q.find_first with (item == 20);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qv); `checks(v, "'{}");
+      `checkp(qv, "'{}");
       qv = q.find_last with (item == 20);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qv); `checks(v, "'{}");
+      `checkp(qv, "'{}");
 
       qi = q.find_index with (item == 2); qi.sort;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qi); `checks(v, "'{'h1, 'h2} ");
+      `checkp(qi, "'{'h1, 'h2} ");
       qi = q.find_first_index with (item == 2);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qi); `checks(v, "'{'h1} ");
+      `checkp(qi, "'{'h1} ");
       qi = q.find_last_index with (item == 2);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qi); `checks(v, "'{'h2} ");
+      `checkp(qi, "'{'h2} ");
 
       qi = q.find_index with (item == 20); qi.sort;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qi); `checks(v, "'{}");
+      `checkp(qi, "'{}");
       qi = q.find_first_index with (item == 20);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qi); `checks(v, "'{}");
+      `checkp(qi, "'{}");
       qi = q.find_last_index with (item == 20);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qi); `checks(v, "'{}");
+      `checkp(qi, "'{}");
 
       qv = q.min;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qv); `checks(v, "'{'h1} ");
+      `checkp(qv, "'{'h1} ");
       qv = q.max;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qv); `checks(v, "'{'h4} ");
+      `checkp(qv, "'{'h4} ");
 
       // Reduction methods
 
diff --git a/test_regress/t/t_array_method_unsup.out b/test_regress/t/t_array_method_unsup.out
index 9e3cd5e02..8937ef4bf 100644
--- a/test_regress/t/t_array_method_unsup.out
+++ b/test_regress/t/t_array_method_unsup.out
@@ -1,21 +1,21 @@
-%Error: t/t_array_method_unsup.v:24:17: 'with' not legal on this method
+%Error: t/t_array_method_unsup.v:23:17: 'with' not legal on this method
                                       : ... note: In instance 't'
-   24 |       i = q.sum with (item + 1); do if ((i) !== (32'h11)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='h%x exp='h%x\n", "t/t_array_method_unsup.v",24, (i), (32'h11)); $stop; end while(0);;
+   23 |       i = q.sum with (item + 1); do if ((i) !== (32'h11)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='h%x exp='h%x\n", "t/t_array_method_unsup.v",23, (i), (32'h11)); $stop; end while(0);;
       |                 ^~~~
-%Error: t/t_array_method_unsup.v:25:21: 'with' not legal on this method
+%Error: t/t_array_method_unsup.v:24:21: 'with' not legal on this method
                                       : ... note: In instance 't'
-   25 |       i = q.product with (item + 1); do if ((i) !== (32'h168)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='h%x exp='h%x\n", "t/t_array_method_unsup.v",25, (i), (32'h168)); $stop; end while(0);;
+   24 |       i = q.product with (item + 1); do if ((i) !== (32'h168)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='h%x exp='h%x\n", "t/t_array_method_unsup.v",24, (i), (32'h168)); $stop; end while(0);;
       |                     ^~~~
-%Error: t/t_array_method_unsup.v:28:17: 'with' not legal on this method
+%Error: t/t_array_method_unsup.v:27:17: 'with' not legal on this method
                                       : ... note: In instance 't'
-   28 |       i = q.and with (item + 1); do if ((i) !== (32'b1001)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='h%x exp='h%x\n", "t/t_array_method_unsup.v",28, (i), (32'b1001)); $stop; end while(0);;
+   27 |       i = q.and with (item + 1); do if ((i) !== (32'b1001)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='h%x exp='h%x\n", "t/t_array_method_unsup.v",27, (i), (32'b1001)); $stop; end while(0);;
       |                 ^~~~
-%Error: t/t_array_method_unsup.v:29:16: 'with' not legal on this method
+%Error: t/t_array_method_unsup.v:28:16: 'with' not legal on this method
                                       : ... note: In instance 't'
-   29 |       i = q.or with (item + 1); do if ((i) !== (32'b1111)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='h%x exp='h%x\n", "t/t_array_method_unsup.v",29, (i), (32'b1111)); $stop; end while(0);;
+   28 |       i = q.or with (item + 1); do if ((i) !== (32'b1111)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='h%x exp='h%x\n", "t/t_array_method_unsup.v",28, (i), (32'b1111)); $stop; end while(0);;
       |                ^~~~
-%Error: t/t_array_method_unsup.v:30:17: 'with' not legal on this method
+%Error: t/t_array_method_unsup.v:29:17: 'with' not legal on this method
                                       : ... note: In instance 't'
-   30 |       i = q.xor with (item + 1); do if ((i) !== (32'hb)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='h%x exp='h%x\n", "t/t_array_method_unsup.v",30, (i), (32'hb)); $stop; end while(0);;
+   29 |       i = q.xor with (item + 1); do if ((i) !== (32'hb)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='h%x exp='h%x\n", "t/t_array_method_unsup.v",29, (i), (32'hb)); $stop; end while(0);;
       |                 ^~~~
 %Error: Exiting due to
diff --git a/test_regress/t/t_array_method_unsup.v b/test_regress/t/t_array_method_unsup.v
index fc6c727f1..0c6e469ac 100644
--- a/test_regress/t/t_array_method_unsup.v
+++ b/test_regress/t/t_array_method_unsup.v
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 
 `define stop $stop
 `define checkh(gotv,expv) do if ((gotv) !== (expv)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='h%x exp='h%x\n", `__FILE__,`__LINE__, (gotv), (expv)); `stop; end while(0);
-`define checks(gotv,expv) do if ((gotv) !== (expv)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='%s' exp='%s'\n", `__FILE__,`__LINE__, (gotv), (expv)); `stop; end while(0);
+`define checkp(gotv,expv_s) do begin string gotv_s; gotv_s = $sformatf("%p", gotv); if ((gotv_s) !== (expv_s)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='%s' exp='%s'\n", `__FILE__,`__LINE__, (gotv_s), (expv_s)); `stop; end end while(0);
 
 module t (/*AUTOARG*/);
    initial begin
@@ -14,10 +14,9 @@ module t (/*AUTOARG*/);
       int qv[$];  // Value returns
       int qi[$];  // Index returns
       int i;
-      string v;
 
       q = '{1, 2, 2, 4, 3};
-      v = $sformatf("%p", q); `checks(v, "'{1, 2, 2, 4, 3} ");
+      `checkp(q, "'{1, 2, 2, 4, 3} ");
 
       // Reduction methods
 
diff --git a/test_regress/t/t_assoc.v b/test_regress/t/t_assoc.v
index a3a658ab7..f3e89620e 100644
--- a/test_regress/t/t_assoc.v
+++ b/test_regress/t/t_assoc.v
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
 `define checkh(gotv,expv) do if ((gotv) !== (expv)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='h%x exp='h%x\n", `__FILE__,`__LINE__, (gotv), (expv)); `stop; end while(0);
 `define checks(gotv,expv) do if ((gotv) !== (expv)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='%s' exp='%s'\n", `__FILE__,`__LINE__, (gotv), (expv)); `stop; end while(0);
 `define checkg(gotv,expv) do if ((gotv) !== (expv)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='%g' exp='%g'\n", `__FILE__,`__LINE__, (gotv), (expv)); `stop; end while(0);
+`define checkp(gotv,expv_s) do begin string gotv_s; gotv_s = $sformatf("%p", gotv); if ((gotv_s) !== (expv_s)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='%s' exp='%s'\n", `__FILE__,`__LINE__, (gotv_s), (expv_s)); `stop; end end while(0);
 
 module t (/*AUTOARG*/
    // Inputs
@@ -44,7 +45,7 @@ module t (/*AUTOARG*/
          i = a.last(k); `checkh(i, 1); `checks(k, 4'd3);
          i = a.prev(k); `checkh(i, 1); `checks(k, 4'd2);
          i = a.prev(k); `checkh(i, 0);
-         v = $sformatf("%p", a); `checks(v, "'{'h2:\"bared\", 'h3:\"fooed\"} ");
+         `checkp(a, "'{'h2:\"bared\", 'h3:\"fooed\"} ");
 
          a.first(k); `checks(k, 4'd2);
          a.next(k); `checks(k, 4'd3);
@@ -79,8 +80,8 @@ module t (/*AUTOARG*/
          i = a.last(k); `checkh(i, 1); `checks(k, "foo");
          i = a.prev(k); `checkh(i, 1); `checks(k, "bar");
          i = a.prev(k); `checkh(i, 0);
-         v = $sformatf("%p", a["foo"]); `checks(v, "\"fooed\"");
-         v = $sformatf("%p", a); `checks(v, "'{\"bar\":\"bared\", \"foo\":\"fooed\"} ");
+         `checkp(a["foo"], "\"fooed\"");
+         `checkp(a, "'{\"bar\":\"bared\", \"foo\":\"fooed\"} ");
 
          a.delete("bar");
          i = a.size(); `checkh(i, 1);
diff --git a/test_regress/t/t_assoc_method.v b/test_regress/t/t_assoc_method.v
index 21414053b..76edc7dd6 100644
--- a/test_regress/t/t_assoc_method.v
+++ b/test_regress/t/t_assoc_method.v
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 
 `define stop $stop
 `define checkh(gotv,expv) do if ((gotv) !== (expv)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='h%x exp='h%x\n", `__FILE__,`__LINE__, (gotv), (expv)); `stop; end while(0);
-`define checks(gotv,expv) do if ((gotv) !== (expv)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='%s' exp='%s'\n", `__FILE__,`__LINE__, (gotv), (expv)); `stop; end while(0);
+`define checkp(gotv,expv_s) do begin string gotv_s; gotv_s = $sformatf("%p", gotv); if ((gotv_s) !== (expv_s)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='%s' exp='%s'\n", `__FILE__,`__LINE__, (gotv_s), (expv_s)); `stop; end end while(0);
 
 module t (/*AUTOARG*/);
    typedef struct { int x, y; } point;
@@ -18,10 +18,9 @@ module t (/*AUTOARG*/);
       point points_q[int];
       point points_qv[$];
       int i;
-      string v;
 
       q = '{10:1, 11:2, 12:2, 13:4, 14:3};
-      v = $sformatf("%p", q); `checks(v, "'{'ha:'h1, 'hb:'h2, 'hc:'h2, 'hd:'h4, 'he:'h3} ");
+      `checkp(q, "'{'ha:'h1, 'hb:'h2, 'hc:'h2, 'hd:'h4, 'he:'h3} ");
 
       // NOT tested: with ... selectors
 
@@ -30,15 +29,15 @@ module t (/*AUTOARG*/);
       //q.reverse;  // Not legal on assoc - see t_assoc_meth_bad
       //q.shuffle;  // Not legal on assoc - see t_assoc_meth_bad
 
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qe); `checks(v, "'{}");
+      `checkp(qe, "'{}");
       qv = q.unique;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qv); `checks(v, "'{'h1, 'h2, 'h4, 'h3} ");
+      `checkp(qv, "'{'h1, 'h2, 'h4, 'h3} ");
       qv = qe.unique;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qv); `checks(v, "'{}");
+      `checkp(qv, "'{}");
       qi = q.unique_index; qi.sort;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qi); `checks(v, "'{'ha, 'hb, 'hd, 'he} ");
+      `checkp(qi, "'{'ha, 'hb, 'hd, 'he} ");
       qi = qe.unique_index;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qi); `checks(v, "'{}");
+      `checkp(qi, "'{}");
 
       points_q[0] = point'{1, 2};
       points_q[1] = point'{2, 4};
@@ -48,61 +47,61 @@ module t (/*AUTOARG*/);
       `checkh(points_qv.size, 2);
       qi = points_q.unique_index(p) with (p.x + p.y);
       qi.sort;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qi); `checks(v, "'{'h0, 'h1, 'h5} ");
+      `checkp(qi, "'{'h0, 'h1, 'h5} ");
 
       // These require an with clause or are illegal
       // TODO add a lint check that with clause is provided
       qv = q.find with (item == 2);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qv); `checks(v, "'{'h2, 'h2} ");
+      `checkp(qv, "'{'h2, 'h2} ");
       qv = q.find_first with (item == 2);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qv); `checks(v, "'{'h2} ");
+      `checkp(qv, "'{'h2} ");
       qv = q.find_last with (item == 2);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qv); `checks(v, "'{'h2} ");
+      `checkp(qv, "'{'h2} ");
 
       qv = q.find with (item == 20);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qv); `checks(v, "'{}");
+      `checkp(qv, "'{}");
       qv = q.find_first with (item == 20);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qv); `checks(v, "'{}");
+      `checkp(qv, "'{}");
       qv = q.find_last with (item == 20);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qv); `checks(v, "'{}");
+      `checkp(qv, "'{}");
 
       qi = q.find_index with (item == 2); qi.sort;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qi); `checks(v, "'{'hb, 'hc} ");
+      `checkp(qi, "'{'hb, 'hc} ");
       qi = q.find_first_index with (item == 2);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qi); `checks(v, "'{'hb} ");
+      `checkp(qi, "'{'hb} ");
       qi = q.find_last_index with (item == 2);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qi); `checks(v, "'{'hc} ");
+      `checkp(qi, "'{'hc} ");
 
       qi = q.find_index with (item == 20); qi.sort;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qi); `checks(v, "'{}");
+      `checkp(qi, "'{}");
       qi = q.find_first_index with (item == 20);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qi); `checks(v, "'{}");
+      `checkp(qi, "'{}");
       qi = q.find_last_index with (item == 20);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qi); `checks(v, "'{}");
+      `checkp(qi, "'{}");
 
       qi = q.find_index with (item.index == 12);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qi); `checks(v, "'{'hc} ");
+      `checkp(qi, "'{'hc} ");
       qi = q.find with (item.index == 12);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qi); `checks(v, "'{'h2} ");
+      `checkp(qi, "'{'h2} ");
 
       qv = q.min;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qv); `checks(v, "'{'h1} ");
+      `checkp(qv, "'{'h1} ");
       points_qv = points_q.min(p) with (p.x + p.y);
       if (points_qv[0].x != 1 || points_qv[0].y != 2) $stop;
 
       qv = q.max;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qv); `checks(v, "'{'h4} ");
+      `checkp(qv, "'{'h4} ");
       points_qv = points_q.max(p) with (p.x + p.y);
       if (points_qv[0].x != 2 || points_qv[0].y != 4) $stop;
 
       qv = qe.min;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qv); `checks(v, "'{}");
+      `checkp(qv, "'{}");
       qv = qe.min(x) with (x + 1);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qv); `checks(v, "'{}");
+      `checkp(qv, "'{}");
       qv = qe.max;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qv); `checks(v, "'{}");
+      `checkp(qv, "'{}");
       qv = qe.max(x) with (x + 1);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qv); `checks(v, "'{}");
+      `checkp(qv, "'{}");
 
       // Reduction methods
 
diff --git a/test_regress/t/t_assoc_wildcard_method.v b/test_regress/t/t_assoc_wildcard_method.v
index cb90ad605..85ff6606d 100644
--- a/test_regress/t/t_assoc_wildcard_method.v
+++ b/test_regress/t/t_assoc_wildcard_method.v
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 
 `define stop $stop
 `define checkh(gotv,expv) do if ((gotv) !== (expv)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='h%x exp='h%x\n", `__FILE__,`__LINE__, (gotv), (expv)); `stop; end while(0);
-`define checks(gotv,expv) do if ((gotv) !== (expv)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='%s' exp='%s'\n", `__FILE__,`__LINE__, (gotv), (expv)); `stop; end while(0);
+`define checkp(gotv,expv_s) do begin string gotv_s; gotv_s = $sformatf("%p", gotv); if ((gotv_s) !== (expv_s)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='%s' exp='%s'\n", `__FILE__,`__LINE__, (gotv_s), (expv_s)); `stop; end end while(0);
 
 module t (/*AUTOARG*/);
    initial begin
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ module t (/*AUTOARG*/);
       string v;
 
       q = '{"a":1, "b":2, "c":2, "d":4, "e":3};
-      v = $sformatf("%p", q); `checks(v, "'{\"a\":'h1, \"b\":'h2, \"c\":'h2, \"d\":'h4, \"e\":'h3} ");
+      `checkp(q, "'{\"a\":'h1, \"b\":'h2, \"c\":'h2, \"d\":'h4, \"e\":'h3} ");
 
       // NOT tested: with ... selectors
 
@@ -27,42 +27,42 @@ module t (/*AUTOARG*/);
       //q.reverse;  // Not legal on assoc - see t_assoc_meth_bad
       //q.shuffle;  // Not legal on assoc - see t_assoc_meth_bad
 
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qe); `checks(v, "'{}");
+      `checkp(qe, "'{}");
       qv = q.unique;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qv); `checks(v, "'{'h1, 'h2, 'h4, 'h3} ");
+      `checkp(qv, "'{'h1, 'h2, 'h4, 'h3} ");
       qv = qe.unique;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qv); `checks(v, "'{}");
+      `checkp(qv, "'{}");
 
       //q.unique_index;  // Not legal on wildcard assoc - see t_assoc_wildcard_bad
 
       // These require an with clause or are illegal
       qv = q.find with (item == 2);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qv); `checks(v, "'{'h2, 'h2} ");
+      `checkp(qv, "'{'h2, 'h2} ");
       qv = q.find_first with (item == 2);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qv); `checks(v, "'{'h2} ");
+      `checkp(qv, "'{'h2} ");
       qv = q.find_last with (item == 2);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qv); `checks(v, "'{'h2} ");
+      `checkp(qv, "'{'h2} ");
 
       qv = q.find with (item == 20);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qv); `checks(v, "'{}");
+      `checkp(qv, "'{}");
       qv = q.find_first with (item == 20);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qv); `checks(v, "'{}");
+      `checkp(qv, "'{}");
       qv = q.find_last with (item == 20);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qv); `checks(v, "'{}");
+      `checkp(qv, "'{}");
 
       //q.find_index;  // Not legal on wildcard assoc - see t_assoc_wildcard_bad
       //q.find_first_index;  // Not legal on wildcard assoc - see t_assoc_wildcard_bad
       //q.find_last_index;  // Not legal on wildcard assoc - see t_assoc_wildcard_bad
 
       qv = q.min;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qv); `checks(v, "'{'h1} ");
+      `checkp(qv, "'{'h1} ");
       qv = q.max;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qv); `checks(v, "'{'h4} ");
+      `checkp(qv, "'{'h4} ");
 
       qv = qe.min;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qv); `checks(v, "'{}");
+      `checkp(qv, "'{}");
       qv = qe.max;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qv); `checks(v, "'{}");
+      `checkp(qv, "'{}");
 
       // Reduction methods
 
diff --git a/test_regress/t/t_class_param.v b/test_regress/t/t_class_param.v
index d96efa44e..f2510ed1d 100644
--- a/test_regress/t/t_class_param.v
+++ b/test_regress/t/t_class_param.v
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 // SPDX-License-Identifier: CC0-1.0
 
 `define stop $stop
-`define checks(gotv,expv) do if ((gotv) != (expv)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='%s' exp='%s'\n", `__FILE__,`__LINE__, (gotv), (expv)); `stop; end while(0);
+`define checkp(gotv,expv_s) do begin string gotv_s; gotv_s = $sformatf("%p", gotv); if ((gotv_s) !== (expv_s)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='%s' exp='%s'\n", `__FILE__,`__LINE__, (gotv_s), (expv_s)); `stop; end end while(0);
 
 // See also t_class_param_mod.v
 
@@ -199,8 +199,8 @@ module t (/*AUTOARG*/);
       if (c4.member != 4'ha) $stop;
       if (c12.get_member() != 12'haaa) $stop;
       if (c4.get_member() != 4'ha) $stop;
-      `checks($sformatf("%p", c12), "'{member:'haaa}");
-      `checks($sformatf("%p", c4), "'{member:'ha}");
+      `checkp(c12, "'{member:'haaa}");
+      `checkp(c4, "'{member:'ha}");
 
       if ($bits(src_logic.field) != 1) $stop;
       if ($bits(src_int.field) != 32) $stop;
diff --git a/test_regress/t/t_class_param_mod.v b/test_regress/t/t_class_param_mod.v
index 63656a1ba..c40877889 100644
--- a/test_regress/t/t_class_param_mod.v
+++ b/test_regress/t/t_class_param_mod.v
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 // SPDX-License-Identifier: CC0-1.0
 
 `define stop $stop
-`define checks(gotv,expv) do if ((gotv) != (expv)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='%s' exp='%s'\n", `__FILE__,`__LINE__, (gotv), (expv)); `stop; end while(0);
+`define checkp(gotv,expv_s) do begin string gotv_s; gotv_s = $sformatf("%p", gotv); if ((gotv_s) !== (expv_s)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='%s' exp='%s'\n", `__FILE__,`__LINE__, (gotv_s), (expv_s)); `stop; end end while(0);
 
 // See also t_class_param.v
 
@@ -105,8 +105,8 @@ endclass
       if (c4.member != 4'ha) $stop;
       if (c12.get_member() != 12'haaa) $stop;
       if (c4.get_member() != 4'ha) $stop;
-      `checks($sformatf("%p", c12), "'{member:'haaa}");
-      `checks($sformatf("%p", c4), "'{member:'ha}");
+      `checkp(c12, "'{member:'haaa}");
+      `checkp(c4, "'{member:'ha}");
 
       if ($bits(src_logic.field) != 1) $stop;
       if ($bits(src_int.field) != 32) $stop;
diff --git a/test_regress/t/t_class_param_pkg.v b/test_regress/t/t_class_param_pkg.v
index 1b5a365ca..567e10fd3 100644
--- a/test_regress/t/t_class_param_pkg.v
+++ b/test_regress/t/t_class_param_pkg.v
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 // SPDX-License-Identifier: CC0-1.0
 
 `define stop $stop
-`define checks(gotv,expv) do if ((gotv) != (expv)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='%s' exp='%s'\n", `__FILE__,`__LINE__, (gotv), (expv)); `stop; end while(0);
+`define checkp(gotv,expv_s) do begin string gotv_s; gotv_s = $sformatf("%p", gotv); if ((gotv_s) !== (expv_s)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='%s' exp='%s'\n", `__FILE__,`__LINE__, (gotv_s), (expv_s)); `stop; end end while(0);
 
 // See also t_class_param_mod.v
 
@@ -93,8 +93,8 @@ module t (/*AUTOARG*/);
       if (c4.member != 4'ha) $stop;
       if (c12.get_member() != 12'haaa) $stop;
       if (c4.get_member() != 4'ha) $stop;
-      `checks($sformatf("%p", c12), "'{member:'haaa}");
-      `checks($sformatf("%p", c4), "'{member:'ha}");
+      `checkp(c12, "'{member:'haaa}");
+      `checkp(c4, "'{member:'ha}");
 
       $write("*-* All Finished *-*\n");
       $finish;
diff --git a/test_regress/t/t_dynarray.v b/test_regress/t/t_dynarray.v
index 72eeb7246..68d25c463 100644
--- a/test_regress/t/t_dynarray.v
+++ b/test_regress/t/t_dynarray.v
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 `define stop $stop
 `define checkh(gotv,expv) do if ((gotv) !== (expv)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='h%x exp='h%x\n", `__FILE__,`__LINE__, (gotv), (expv)); `stop; end while(0);
 `define checks(gotv,expv) do if ((gotv) !== (expv)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='%s' exp='%s'\n", `__FILE__,`__LINE__, (gotv), (expv)); `stop; end while(0);
+`define checkp(gotv,expv_s) do begin string gotv_s; gotv_s = $sformatf("%p", gotv); if ((gotv_s) !== (expv_s)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='%s' exp='%s'\n", `__FILE__,`__LINE__, (gotv_s), (expv_s)); `stop; end end while(0);
 
 module t (/*AUTOARG*/
    // Inputs
@@ -17,7 +18,6 @@ module t (/*AUTOARG*/
    integer cyc = 0;
 
    integer i;
-   string  v;
 
    // verilator lint_off UNUSED
    integer unused[];
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ module t (/*AUTOARG*/
       cyc <= cyc + 1;
       begin
          `checkh(a.size, 0);
-         v = $sformatf("%p", a); `checks(v, "'{}");
+         `checkp(a, "'{}");
 
          `checkh(s.size, 3);
          `checks(s[0], "hello");
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ module t (/*AUTOARG*/
          `checkh(a[0], 10);
          `checkh(a[1], 11);
          `checkh(a[2], 12);
-         v = $sformatf("%p", a); `checks(v, "'{'ha, 'hb, 'hc} ");
+         `checkp(a, "'{'ha, 'hb, 'hc} ");
          a.delete;
          `checkh(a.size, 0);
 
diff --git a/test_regress/t/t_dynarray_method.v b/test_regress/t/t_dynarray_method.v
index 76b56012f..290ef7d2b 100644
--- a/test_regress/t/t_dynarray_method.v
+++ b/test_regress/t/t_dynarray_method.v
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 `define stop $stop
 `define checkh(gotv,expv) do if ((gotv) !== (expv)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='h%x exp='h%x\n", `__FILE__,`__LINE__, (gotv), (expv)); `stop; end while(0);
 `define checks(gotv,expv) do if ((gotv) !== (expv)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='%s' exp='%s'\n", `__FILE__,`__LINE__, (gotv), (expv)); `stop; end while(0);
+`define checkp(gotv,expv_s) do begin string gotv_s; gotv_s = $sformatf("%p", gotv); if ((gotv_s) !== (expv_s)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='%s' exp='%s'\n", `__FILE__,`__LINE__, (gotv_s), (expv_s)); `stop; end end while(0);
 
 `define checkg(gotv,expv) do if ((gotv) !== (expv)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='%g' exp='%g'\n", `__FILE__,`__LINE__, (gotv), (expv)); `stop; end while(0);
 
@@ -21,56 +22,55 @@ module t (/*AUTOARG*/);
       int qvunused[$];  // Value returns (unused)
       int qi[$];  // Index returns
       int i;
-      string v;
 
       d = '{1, 2, 2, 4, 3};
-      v = $sformatf("%p", d); `checks(v, "'{'h1, 'h2, 'h2, 'h4, 'h3} ");
+      `checkp(d, "'{'h1, 'h2, 'h2, 'h4, 'h3} ");
       d = {1, 2, 2, 4, 3};
-      v = $sformatf("%p", d); `checks(v, "'{'h1, 'h2, 'h2, 'h4, 'h3} ");
+      `checkp(d, "'{'h1, 'h2, 'h2, 'h4, 'h3} ");
 
       // sort/rsort with clause is the field to use for the sorting
       d.sort;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", d); `checks(v, "'{'h1, 'h2, 'h2, 'h3, 'h4} ");
+      `checkp(d, "'{'h1, 'h2, 'h2, 'h3, 'h4} ");
       d.sort with (10 - item);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", d); `checks(v, "'{'h4, 'h3, 'h2, 'h2, 'h1} ");
+      `checkp(d, "'{'h4, 'h3, 'h2, 'h2, 'h1} ");
       d.sort(x) with (10 - x);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", d); `checks(v, "'{'h4, 'h3, 'h2, 'h2, 'h1} ");
+      `checkp(d, "'{'h4, 'h3, 'h2, 'h2, 'h1} ");
       de.sort(x) with (10 - x);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", de); `checks(v, "'{}");
+      `checkp(de, "'{}");
       d.rsort;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", d); `checks(v, "'{'h4, 'h3, 'h2, 'h2, 'h1} ");
+      `checkp(d, "'{'h4, 'h3, 'h2, 'h2, 'h1} ");
       d.rsort with (10 - item);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", d); `checks(v, "'{'h1, 'h2, 'h2, 'h3, 'h4} ");
+      `checkp(d, "'{'h1, 'h2, 'h2, 'h3, 'h4} ");
       de.rsort(x) with (10 - x);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", d); `checks(v, "'{'h1, 'h2, 'h2, 'h3, 'h4} ");
+      `checkp(d, "'{'h1, 'h2, 'h2, 'h3, 'h4} ");
 
       d = '{2, 2, 4, 1, 3};
       qv = d.unique;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qv); `checks(v, "'{'h2, 'h4, 'h1, 'h3} ");
+      `checkp(qv, "'{'h2, 'h4, 'h1, 'h3} ");
       qv = de.unique;
       `checkh(qv.size(), 0);
       qi = d.unique_index; qv.sort;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qi); `checks(v, "'{'h0, 'h2, 'h3, 'h4} ");
+      `checkp(qi, "'{'h0, 'h2, 'h3, 'h4} ");
       qi = de.unique_index;
       `checkh(qi.size(), 0);
 
       d.reverse;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", d); `checks(v, "'{'h3, 'h1, 'h4, 'h2, 'h2} ");
+      `checkp(d, "'{'h3, 'h1, 'h4, 'h2, 'h2} ");
       de.reverse;
       `checkh(de.size(), 0);
       d.shuffle(); d.sort;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", d); `checks(v, "'{'h1, 'h2, 'h2, 'h3, 'h4} ");
+      `checkp(d, "'{'h1, 'h2, 'h2, 'h3, 'h4} ");
       de.shuffle();
       `checkh(de.size(), 0);
 
       // These require an with clause or are illegal
       // TODO add a lint check that with clause is provided
       qv = d.find with (item == 2);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qv); `checks(v, "'{'h2, 'h2} ");
+      `checkp(qv, "'{'h2, 'h2} ");
       qv = d.find_first with (item == 2);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qv); `checks(v, "'{'h2} ");
+      `checkp(qv, "'{'h2} ");
       qv = d.find_last with (item == 2);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qv); `checks(v, "'{'h2} ");
+      `checkp(qv, "'{'h2} ");
 
       qv = d.find with (item == 20);
       `checkh(qv.size, 0);
@@ -83,15 +83,15 @@ module t (/*AUTOARG*/);
       qvunused = d.find with (item == 20);
 
       qi = d.find_index with (item == 2);
-      qi.sort; v = $sformatf("%p", qi); `checks(v, "'{'h1, 'h2} ");
+      qi.sort; `checkp(qi, "'{'h1, 'h2} ");
       qi = d.find_first_index with (item == 2);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qi); `checks(v, "'{'h1} ");
+      `checkp(qi, "'{'h1} ");
       qi = d.find_last_index with (item == 2);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qi); `checks(v, "'{'h2} ");
+      `checkp(qi, "'{'h2} ");
 
       i = 2;
       qi = d.find_index with (item == i);
-      qi.sort; v = $sformatf("%p", qi); `checks(v, "'{'h1, 'h2} ");
+      qi.sort; `checkp(qi, "'{'h1, 'h2} ");
 
       qi = d.find_index with (item == 20); qi.sort;
       `checkh(qi.size, 0);
@@ -101,16 +101,16 @@ module t (/*AUTOARG*/);
       `checkh(qi.size, 0);
 
       qi = d.find_index with (item.index == 2);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qi); `checks(v, "'{'h2} ");
+      `checkp(qi, "'{'h2} ");
 
       qv = d.min;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qv); `checks(v, "'{'h1} ");
+      `checkp(qv, "'{'h1} ");
       qv = d.max;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qv); `checks(v, "'{'h4} ");
+      `checkp(qv, "'{'h4} ");
       qv = de.min;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qv); `checks(v, "'{}");
+      `checkp(qv, "'{}");
       qv = de.max;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qv); `checks(v, "'{}");
+      `checkp(qv, "'{}");
 
       // Reduction methods
       i = d.sum;
diff --git a/test_regress/t/t_queue.v b/test_regress/t/t_queue.v
index f48a666ef..8aada7da3 100644
--- a/test_regress/t/t_queue.v
+++ b/test_regress/t/t_queue.v
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
 `define checkh(gotv,expv) do if ((gotv) !== (expv)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='h%x exp='h%x\n", `__FILE__,`__LINE__, (gotv), (expv)); `stop; end while(0);
 `define checks(gotv,expv) do if ((gotv) !== (expv)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='%s' exp='%s'\n", `__FILE__,`__LINE__, (gotv), (expv)); `stop; end while(0);
 `define checkg(gotv,expv) do if ((gotv) !== (expv)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='%g' exp='%g'\n", `__FILE__,`__LINE__, (gotv), (expv)); `stop; end while(0);
+`define checkp(gotv,expv_s) do begin string gotv_s; gotv_s = $sformatf("%p", gotv); if ((gotv_s) !== (expv_s)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='%s' exp='%s'\n", `__FILE__,`__LINE__, (gotv_s), (expv_s)); `stop; end end while(0);
 
 module t (/*AUTOARG*/
    // Inputs
@@ -134,8 +135,8 @@ module t (/*AUTOARG*/
          v = q[4]; `checks(v, "");
          //Unsup: `checkh(q[$], "b2");
 
-         v = $sformatf("%p", q); `checks(v, "'{\"f2\", \"f1\", \"b1\", \"b2\"} ");
-         v = $sformatf("%p", p); `checks(v, "'{}");
+         `checkp(q, "'{\"f2\", \"f1\", \"b1\", \"b2\"} ");
+         `checkp(p, "'{}");
 
          //Unsup: q.delete(1);
          //Unsup: v = q[1]; `checks(v, "b1");
diff --git a/test_regress/t/t_queue_method.v b/test_regress/t/t_queue_method.v
index 90d2404cb..88f8fb2c8 100644
--- a/test_regress/t/t_queue_method.v
+++ b/test_regress/t/t_queue_method.v
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 `define stop $stop
 `define checkh(gotv,expv) do if ((gotv) !== (expv)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='h%x exp='h%x\n", `__FILE__,`__LINE__, (gotv), (expv)); `stop; end while(0);
 `define checks(gotv,expv) do if ((gotv) !== (expv)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='%s' exp='%s'\n", `__FILE__,`__LINE__, (gotv), (expv)); `stop; end while(0);
+`define checkp(gotv,expv_s) do begin string gotv_s; gotv_s = $sformatf("%p", gotv); if ((gotv_s) !== (expv_s)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='%s' exp='%s'\n", `__FILE__,`__LINE__, (gotv_s), (expv_s)); `stop; end end while(0);
 
 `define checkg(gotv,expv) do if ((gotv) !== (expv)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='%g' exp='%g'\n", `__FILE__,`__LINE__, (gotv), (expv)); `stop; end while(0);
 
@@ -27,7 +28,6 @@ module t (/*AUTOARG*/);
       int qvunused[$];  // Value returns (unused)
       int qi[$];  // Index returns
       int i;
-      string v;
       string string_q[$];
       string string_qv[$];
       point_3d points_q[$];  // Same as q and qv, but complex value type
@@ -53,27 +53,27 @@ module t (/*AUTOARG*/);
       string_q.push_back("b");
 
       q = '{1, 2, 2, 4, 3};
-      v = $sformatf("%p", q); `checks(v, "'{'h1, 'h2, 'h2, 'h4, 'h3} ");
+      `checkp(q, "'{'h1, 'h2, 'h2, 'h4, 'h3} ");
 
       // sort/rsort with clause is the field to use for the sorting
       q.sort;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", q); `checks(v, "'{'h1, 'h2, 'h2, 'h3, 'h4} ");
+      `checkp(q, "'{'h1, 'h2, 'h2, 'h3, 'h4} ");
       q.sort with (10 - item);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", q); `checks(v, "'{'h4, 'h3, 'h2, 'h2, 'h1} ");
+      `checkp(q, "'{'h4, 'h3, 'h2, 'h2, 'h1} ");
       q.sort(x) with (10 - x);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", q); `checks(v, "'{'h4, 'h3, 'h2, 'h2, 'h1} ");
+      `checkp(q, "'{'h4, 'h3, 'h2, 'h2, 'h1} ");
       qe.sort(x) with (10 - x);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qe); `checks(v, "'{}");
+      `checkp(qe, "'{}");
       q.rsort;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", q); `checks(v, "'{'h4, 'h3, 'h2, 'h2, 'h1} ");
+      `checkp(q, "'{'h4, 'h3, 'h2, 'h2, 'h1} ");
       q.rsort with (10 - item);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", q); `checks(v, "'{'h1, 'h2, 'h2, 'h3, 'h4} ");
+      `checkp(q, "'{'h1, 'h2, 'h2, 'h3, 'h4} ");
       qe.rsort(x) with (10 - x);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", q); `checks(v, "'{'h1, 'h2, 'h2, 'h3, 'h4} ");
+      `checkp(q, "'{'h1, 'h2, 'h2, 'h3, 'h4} ");
 
       q = '{2, 2, 4, 1, 3};
       qv = q.unique;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qv); `checks(v, "'{'h2, 'h4, 'h1, 'h3} ");
+      `checkp(qv, "'{'h2, 'h4, 'h1, 'h3} ");
       qv = qe.unique;
       `checkh(qv.size(), 0);
       qv = q.unique(x) with (x % 2);
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ module t (/*AUTOARG*/);
       // According to IEEE 1800-2023 7.12.1, it is not specified which index of duplicated value should be returned
       `checkh(qi.size(), 4);
       qi.delete(1);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qi); `checks(v, "'{'h0, 'h3, 'h4} ");
+      `checkp(qi, "'{'h0, 'h3, 'h4} ");
       qi = qe.unique_index;
       `checkh(qi.size(), 0);
       qi = q.unique_index(x) with (x % 3); qv.sort;
@@ -95,31 +95,31 @@ module t (/*AUTOARG*/);
       `checkh(cls_qv.size(), 1);
       qi = cls_q.unique_index with (item.x % 2);
       qi.sort;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qi); `checks(v, "'{'h0, 'h1} ");
+      `checkp(qi, "'{'h0, 'h1} ");
 
       q.reverse;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", q); `checks(v, "'{'h3, 'h1, 'h4, 'h2, 'h2} ");
+      `checkp(q, "'{'h3, 'h1, 'h4, 'h2, 'h2} ");
       qe.reverse;
       `checkh(qe.size(), 0);
       q.shuffle(); q.sort;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", q); `checks(v, "'{'h1, 'h2, 'h2, 'h3, 'h4} ");
+      `checkp(q, "'{'h1, 'h2, 'h2, 'h3, 'h4} ");
       qe.shuffle();
       `checkh(qe.size(), 0);
 
       // These require an with clause or are illegal
       // TODO add a lint check that with clause is provided
       qv = q.find with (item == 2);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qv); `checks(v, "'{'h2, 'h2} ");
+      `checkp(qv, "'{'h2, 'h2} ");
       qv = q.find with (item[0] == 1);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qv); `checks(v, "'{'h1, 'h3} ");
+      `checkp(qv, "'{'h1, 'h3} ");
       qv = q.find_first with (item == 2);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qv); `checks(v, "'{'h2} ");
+      `checkp(qv, "'{'h2} ");
       points_qv = points_q.find_first with (item.z == 5);
       `checkh(points_qv[0].p.y, 3);
       points_qv = points_q.find_first with (item.p.x == 1);
       `checkh(points_qv[0].p.y, 2);
       qv = q.find_last with (item == 2);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qv); `checks(v, "'{'h2} ");
+      `checkp(qv, "'{'h2} ");
       string_qv = string_q.find_last(s) with (s.tolower() == "a");
       `checks(string_qv[0], "A");
 
@@ -134,15 +134,15 @@ module t (/*AUTOARG*/);
       qvunused = q.find with (item == 20);
 
       qi = q.find_index with (item == 2);
-      qi.sort; v = $sformatf("%p", qi); `checks(v, "'{'h1, 'h2} ");
+      qi.sort; `checkp(qi, "'{'h1, 'h2} ");
       qi = q.find_first_index with (item == 2);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qi); `checks(v, "'{'h1} ");
+      `checkp(qi, "'{'h1} ");
       qi = q.find_last_index with (item == 2);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qi); `checks(v, "'{'h2} ");
+      `checkp(qi, "'{'h2} ");
 
       i = 2;
       qi = q.find_index with (item == i);
-      qi.sort; v = $sformatf("%p", qi); `checks(v, "'{'h1, 'h2} ");
+      qi.sort; `checkp(qi, "'{'h1, 'h2} ");
 
       qi = q.find_index with (item == 20); qi.sort;
       `checkh(qi.size, 0);
@@ -152,22 +152,22 @@ module t (/*AUTOARG*/);
       `checkh(qi.size, 0);
 
       qi = q.find_index with (item.index == 2);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qi); `checks(v, "'{'h2} ");
+      `checkp(qi, "'{'h2} ");
       qi = q.find_index with (item.index == item);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qi); `checks(v, "'{'h2, 'h3, 'h4} ");
+      `checkp(qi, "'{'h2, 'h3, 'h4} ");
 
       qv = q.min;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qv); `checks(v, "'{'h1} ");
+      `checkp(qv, "'{'h1} ");
       qv = q.min(x) with (x + 1);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qv); `checks(v, "'{'h1} ");
+      `checkp(qv, "'{'h1} ");
       qv = q.max;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qv); `checks(v, "'{'h4} ");
+      `checkp(qv, "'{'h4} ");
       qv = q.max(x) with ((x % 4) + 100);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qv); `checks(v, "'{'h3} ");
+      `checkp(qv, "'{'h3} ");
       qv = qe.min;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qv); `checks(v, "'{}");
+      `checkp(qv, "'{}");
       qv = qe.max;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", qv); `checks(v, "'{}");
+      `checkp(qv, "'{}");
 
       // Reduction methods
       i = q.sum;
diff --git a/test_regress/t/t_queue_slice.v b/test_regress/t/t_queue_slice.v
index fde0ebd62..88eb8b8a3 100644
--- a/test_regress/t/t_queue_slice.v
+++ b/test_regress/t/t_queue_slice.v
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 `define stop $stop
 `define checkh(gotv,expv) do if ((gotv) !== (expv)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='h%x exp='h%x\n", `__FILE__,`__LINE__, (gotv), (expv)); `stop; end while(0);
 `define checks(gotv,expv) do if ((gotv) !== (expv)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='%s' exp='%s'\n", `__FILE__,`__LINE__, (gotv), (expv)); `stop; end while(0);
+`define checkp(gotv,expv_s) do begin string gotv_s; gotv_s = $sformatf("%p", gotv); if ((gotv_s) !== (expv_s)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='%s' exp='%s'\n", `__FILE__,`__LINE__, (gotv_s), (expv_s)); `stop; end end while(0);
 
 module t (/*AUTOARG*/);
    initial begin
@@ -18,46 +19,46 @@ module t (/*AUTOARG*/);
 
       q.push_front("non-empty");
       i = q.size(); `checkh(i, 1);
-      v = $sformatf("%p", q); `checks(v, "'{\"non-empty\"} ");
+      `checkp(q, "'{\"non-empty\"} ");
 
       q = '{};
       i = q.size(); `checkh(i, 0);
 
       q = '{"q"};
-      v = $sformatf("%p", q); `checks(v, "'{\"q\"} ");
+      `checkp(q, "'{\"q\"} ");
 
       q = {};
       i = q.size(); `checkh(i, 0);
 
       q = '{"q", "b", "c", "d", "e", "f"};
       if (q[0] !== "q") $stop;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", q); `checks(v, "'{\"q\", \"b\", \"c\", \"d\", \"e\", \"f\"} ");
+      `checkp(q, "'{\"q\", \"b\", \"c\", \"d\", \"e\", \"f\"} ");
 
       q = {"q", "b", "c", "d", "e", "f"};
-      v = $sformatf("%p", q); `checks(v, "'{\"q\", \"b\", \"c\", \"d\", \"e\", \"f\"} ");
+      `checkp(q, "'{\"q\", \"b\", \"c\", \"d\", \"e\", \"f\"} ");
 
       q.delete(1);
       v = q[1]; `checks(v, "c");
-      v = $sformatf("%p", q); `checks(v, "'{\"q\", \"c\", \"d\", \"e\", \"f\"} ");
+      `checkp(q, "'{\"q\", \"c\", \"d\", \"e\", \"f\"} ");
 
       q.insert(0, "ins0");
       q.insert(2, "ins2");
       v = q[0]; `checks(v, "ins0");
       v = q[2]; `checks(v, "ins2");
-      v = $sformatf("%p", q); `checks(v, "'{\"ins0\", \"q\", \"ins2\", \"c\", \"d\", \"e\", \"f\"} ");
+      `checkp(q, "'{\"ins0\", \"q\", \"ins2\", \"c\", \"d\", \"e\", \"f\"} ");
 
       // Slicing
       q = '{"q", "b", "c", "d", "e", "f"};
       q = q[-1:0];
-      v = $sformatf("%p", q); `checks(v, "'{\"q\"} ");
+      `checkp(q, "'{\"q\"} ");
       q = '{"q", "b", "c", "d", "e", "f"};
       q = q[2:3];
-      v = $sformatf("%p", q); `checks(v, "'{\"c\", \"d\"} ");
+      `checkp(q, "'{\"c\", \"d\"} ");
       q = '{"q", "b", "c", "d", "e", "f"};
       q = q[3:$];
-      v = $sformatf("%p", q); `checks(v, "'{\"d\", \"e\", \"f\"} ");
+      `checkp(q, "'{\"d\", \"e\", \"f\"} ");
       q = q[$:$];
-      v = $sformatf("%p", q); `checks(v, "'{\"f\"} ");
+      `checkp(q, "'{\"f\"} ");
 
       // Similar using implied notation
       q = '{"f"};
@@ -65,14 +66,14 @@ module t (/*AUTOARG*/);
       q = {q, "f2"};  // push_front
       q = {"b1", q};  // push_back
       q = {"b2", q};  // push_back
-      v = $sformatf("%p", q); `checks(v, "'{\"b2\", \"b1\", \"f\", \"f1\", \"f2\"} ");
+      `checkp(q, "'{\"b2\", \"b1\", \"f\", \"f1\", \"f2\"} ");
 
       q = {q[0], q[2:$]};  // delete element 1
-      v = $sformatf("%p", q); `checks(v, "'{\"b2\", \"f\", \"f1\", \"f2\"} ");
+      `checkp(q, "'{\"b2\", \"f\", \"f1\", \"f2\"} ");
 
       q = {"a", "b"};
       q = {q, q};
-      v = $sformatf("%p", q); `checks(v, "'{\"a\", \"b\", \"a\", \"b\"} ");
+      `checkp(q, "'{\"a\", \"b\", \"a\", \"b\"} ");
 
       begin
          string ai[$] = '{ "Foo", "Bar" };
diff --git a/test_regress/t/t_stream_dynamic.v b/test_regress/t/t_stream_dynamic.v
index 75bdae81b..eae28813c 100644
--- a/test_regress/t/t_stream_dynamic.v
+++ b/test_regress/t/t_stream_dynamic.v
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 
 `define stop $stop
 `define checkh(gotv,expv) do if ((gotv) !== (expv)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='h%x exp='h%x\n", `__FILE__,`__LINE__, (gotv), (expv)); `stop; end while(0);
-`define checks(gotv,expv) do if ((gotv) !== (expv)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='%s' exp='%s'\n", `__FILE__,`__LINE__, (gotv), (expv)); `stop; end while(0);
+`define checkp(gotv,expv_s) do begin string gotv_s; gotv_s = $sformatf("%p", gotv); if ((gotv_s) !== (expv_s)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='%s' exp='%s'\n", `__FILE__,`__LINE__, (gotv_s), (expv_s)); `stop; end end while(0);
 
 typedef enum bit [5:0] {
    A = 6'b111000,
@@ -18,13 +18,12 @@ module t (/*AUTOARG*/);
       bit arr[];
       bit [1:0] arr2[$];
       bit [5:0] arr6[$];
-      string v;
       bit [5:0] bit6 = 6'b111000;
       bit [5:0] ans;
       enum_t ans_enum;
 
       { >> bit {arr}} = bit6;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", arr); `checks(v, "'{'h0, 'h0, 'h0, 'h1, 'h1, 'h1} ");
+      `checkp(arr, "'{'h0, 'h0, 'h0, 'h1, 'h1, 'h1} ");
 
       ans = { >> bit {arr} };
       `checkh(ans, bit6);
@@ -33,7 +32,7 @@ module t (/*AUTOARG*/);
       `checkh(ans_enum, bit6);
 
       { << bit {arr}} = bit6;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", arr); `checks(v, "'{'h1, 'h1, 'h1, 'h0, 'h0, 'h0} ");
+      `checkp(arr, "'{'h1, 'h1, 'h1, 'h0, 'h0, 'h0} ");
 
       ans = { << bit {arr} };
       `checkh(ans, bit6);
@@ -42,7 +41,7 @@ module t (/*AUTOARG*/);
       `checkh(ans_enum, bit6);
 
       { >> bit[1:0] {arr2}} = bit6;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", arr2); `checks(v, "'{'h0, 'h2, 'h3} ");
+      `checkp(arr2, "'{'h0, 'h2, 'h3} ");
 
       ans = { >> bit[1:0] {arr2} };
       `checkh(ans, bit6);
@@ -51,7 +50,7 @@ module t (/*AUTOARG*/);
       `checkh(ans_enum, bit6);
 
       { << bit[1:0] {arr2}} = bit6;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", arr2); `checks(v, "'{'h3, 'h2, 'h0} ");
+      `checkp(arr2, "'{'h3, 'h2, 'h0} ");
 
       ans = { << bit[1:0] {arr2} };
       `checkh(ans, bit6);
@@ -60,7 +59,7 @@ module t (/*AUTOARG*/);
       `checkh(ans_enum, bit6);
 
       { >> bit [5:0] {arr6} } = bit6;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", arr6); `checks(v, "'{'h38} ");
+      `checkp(arr6, "'{'h38} ");
 
       ans = { >> bit[5:0] {arr6} };
       `checkh(ans, bit6);
@@ -69,7 +68,7 @@ module t (/*AUTOARG*/);
       `checkh(ans_enum, bit6);
 
       { << bit [5:0] {arr6} } = bit6;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", arr6); `checks(v, "'{'h38} ");
+      `checkp(arr6, "'{'h38} ");
 
       ans = { << bit[5:0] {arr6} };
       `checkh(ans, bit6);
diff --git a/test_regress/t/t_stream_unpack.v b/test_regress/t/t_stream_unpack.v
index 722de106a..0e20d4db2 100644
--- a/test_regress/t/t_stream_unpack.v
+++ b/test_regress/t/t_stream_unpack.v
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 
 `define stop $stop
 `define checkh(gotv,expv) do if ((gotv) !== (expv)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='h%x exp='h%x\n", `__FILE__,`__LINE__, (gotv), (expv)); `stop; end while(0);
-`define checks(gotv,expv) do if ((gotv) !== (expv)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='%s' exp='%s'\n", `__FILE__,`__LINE__, (gotv), (expv)); `stop; end while(0);
+`define checkp(gotv,expv_s) do begin string gotv_s; gotv_s = $sformatf("%p", gotv); if ((gotv_s) !== (expv_s)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='%s' exp='%s'\n", `__FILE__,`__LINE__, (gotv_s), (expv_s)); `stop; end end while(0);
 
 typedef enum bit [5:0] {
    A = 6'b111000,
@@ -18,13 +18,12 @@ module t (/*AUTOARG*/);
       bit arr[6];
       bit [1:0] arr2[3];
       bit [5:0] arr6[1];
-      string v;
       bit [5:0] bit6 = 6'b111000;
       bit [5:0] ans;
       enum_t ans_enum;
 
       { >> bit {arr}} = bit6;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", arr); `checks(v, "'{'h1, 'h1, 'h1, 'h0, 'h0, 'h0} ");
+      `checkp(arr, "'{'h1, 'h1, 'h1, 'h0, 'h0, 'h0} ");
 
       ans = { >> bit {arr} };
       `checkh(ans, bit6);
@@ -33,7 +32,7 @@ module t (/*AUTOARG*/);
       `checkh(ans_enum, bit6);
 
       { << bit {arr}} = bit6;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", arr); `checks(v, "'{'h0, 'h0, 'h0, 'h1, 'h1, 'h1} ");
+      `checkp(arr, "'{'h0, 'h0, 'h0, 'h1, 'h1, 'h1} ");
 
       ans = { << bit {arr} };
       `checkh(ans, bit6);
@@ -42,7 +41,7 @@ module t (/*AUTOARG*/);
       `checkh(ans_enum, bit6);
 
       { >> bit[1:0] {arr2}} = bit6;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", arr2); `checks(v, "'{'h3, 'h2, 'h0} ");
+      `checkp(arr2, "'{'h3, 'h2, 'h0} ");
 
       ans = { >> bit[1:0] {arr2} };
       `checkh(ans, bit6);
@@ -51,7 +50,7 @@ module t (/*AUTOARG*/);
       `checkh(ans_enum, bit6);
 
       { << bit[1:0] {arr2}} = bit6;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", arr2); `checks(v, "'{'h0, 'h2, 'h3} ");
+      `checkp(arr2, "'{'h0, 'h2, 'h3} ");
 
       ans = { << bit[1:0] {arr2} };
       `checkh(ans, bit6);
@@ -60,7 +59,7 @@ module t (/*AUTOARG*/);
       `checkh(ans_enum, bit6);
 
       { >> bit [5:0] {arr6} } = bit6;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", arr6); `checks(v, "'{'h38} ");
+      `checkp(arr6, "'{'h38} ");
 
       ans = { >> bit[5:0] {arr6} };
       `checkh(ans, bit6);
@@ -69,7 +68,7 @@ module t (/*AUTOARG*/);
       `checkh(ans_enum, bit6);
 
       { << bit [5:0] {arr6} } = bit6;
-      v = $sformatf("%p", arr6); `checks(v, "'{'h38} ");
+      `checkp(arr6, "'{'h38} ");
 
       ans = { << bit[5:0] {arr6} };
       `checkh(ans, bit6);
diff --git a/test_regress/t/t_struct_nest_uarray.v b/test_regress/t/t_struct_nest_uarray.v
index 81cdeee3f..29c541dc7 100644
--- a/test_regress/t/t_struct_nest_uarray.v
+++ b/test_regress/t/t_struct_nest_uarray.v
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 // SPDX-License-Identifier: CC0-1.0
 
 `define stop $stop
-`define checks(gotv,expv) do if ((gotv) !== (expv)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='%s' exp='%s'\n", `__FILE__,`__LINE__, (gotv), (expv)); `stop; end while(0);
+`define checkp(gotv,expv_s) do begin string gotv_s; gotv_s = $sformatf("%p", gotv); if ((gotv_s) !== (expv_s)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='%s' exp='%s'\n", `__FILE__,`__LINE__, (gotv_s), (expv_s)); `stop; end end while(0);
 
 typedef struct {
    struct {
@@ -29,17 +29,11 @@ module t (/*AUTOARG*/);
    pstr_t pstr;
 
    initial begin
-      string s;
-
       str.el[0].val.next = 6;
-      s = $sformatf("%p", str);
-      $display("%s", s);
-      `checks(s, "'{el:'{'{val:'{next:'h6}}} }");
+      `checkp(str, "'{el:'{'{val:'{next:'h6}}} }");
 
       pstr.el[0].val.next = 6;
-      s = $sformatf("%p", pstr);
-      $display("%s", s);
-      `checks(s, "'{el:'{'{val:'{next:'h6}}} }");
+      `checkp(str, "'{el:'{'{val:'{next:'h6}}} }");
 
       $write("*-* All Finished *-*\n");
       $finish;
diff --git a/test_regress/t/t_struct_unpacked.v b/test_regress/t/t_struct_unpacked.v
index ef0ad6b2a..ca22982bf 100644
--- a/test_regress/t/t_struct_unpacked.v
+++ b/test_regress/t/t_struct_unpacked.v
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 
 `define stop $stop
 `define checks(gotv,expv) do if ((gotv) !== (expv)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='%s' exp='%s'\n", `__FILE__,`__LINE__, (gotv), (expv)); `stop; end while(0);
+`define checkp(gotv,expv_s) do begin string gotv_s; gotv_s = $sformatf("%p", gotv); if ((gotv_s) !== (expv_s)) begin $write("%%Error: %s:%0d:  got='%s' exp='%s'\n", `__FILE__,`__LINE__, (gotv_s), (expv_s)); `stop; end end while(0);
 
 class Cls;
    typedef struct {
@@ -50,12 +51,10 @@ module x;
 
       istr.m_i = 12;
       istr.m_s = "str1";
-      s = $sformatf("%p", istr);
-      `checks(s, "'{m_i:'hc, m_s:\"str1\"}");
+      `checkp(istr, "'{m_i:'hc, m_s:\"str1\"}");
 
       istr = '{m_i: '1, m_s: "str2"};
-      s = $sformatf("%p", istr);
-      `checks(s, "'{m_i:'hffff, m_s:\"str2\"}");
+      `checkp(istr, "'{m_i:'hffff, m_s:\"str2\"}");
 
       c = new;
       s = c.get_cstr().m_strg;