At a glance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "At a glance" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a quick or superficial look at something, often to summarize or highlight key points. Example: "At a glance, the report shows a significant increase in sales over the last quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

At a glance, the events seem unremarkable.

The New York Times - Sports

At a glance, it looks elegant but not particularly flashy.

The New York Times

At a glance, its reasoning is not obvious.

The New York Times

At a glance it looks like any other reality competition.

The New York Times - Arts

At a glance, the men share a host of similarities.

The New York Times - Sports

At a glance, the system is failing miserably.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Here's an at-a-glance look at the entire country.

Independent

Here's an at-a-glance guide.

BBC

Z750a Phone At-A-Glance.

TechCrunch

BEST: At-a-glance graphs show performance instantly.

Forbes

BEST: At-a-glance indexes table on the main page.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "At a glance" to introduce a summary or overview of information that can be quickly understood.

Common error

Avoid using "At a glance" when referring to in-depth or complex analyses. This phrase implies a superficial understanding, not a comprehensive one.

Linguistic Context

"At a glance" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the speed or ease with which something is understood or perceived. As Ludwig AI explains, it suggests a quick or superficial look at something, often used to summarize key points.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

29%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Social Media

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "At a glance" is a useful expression for indicating a quick or superficial understanding of something. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and usable in written English. It is commonly found in News & Media, Science, and Academic contexts, making it versatile for various types of writing. To improve your writing, use "At a glance" when you want to provide an overview or summary that can be easily grasped, but avoid using it when a more in-depth analysis is required. Consider alternatives like "upon first inspection" or "at first sight" for slight variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Upon first inspection

Highlights the initial nature of the assessment but is slightly more formal.

At first sight

Emphasizes the visual aspect of the initial impression.

On initial observation

More formal and emphasizes a deliberate act of observing.

At a brief survey

Emphasizes a quick overview or examination.

From a quick look

More casual and emphasizes speed.

With a cursory view

More formal and emphasizes the lack of thoroughness.

In brief

Focuses on conciseness rather than visual assessment.

Superficially

Highlights the lack of depth in the assessment.

On the surface

Indicates a lack of deeper investigation.

In a nutshell

Focuses on a brief summary, not necessarily visual.

FAQs

How can I use "At a glance" in a sentence?

Use "At a glance" to introduce information that is easily understood or summarized quickly, such as, "At a glance, the data shows an increase."

What is a good alternative to "At a glance"?

Alternatives include "upon first inspection", "at first sight", or "on initial observation", depending on the context.

Is "At a glance" formal or informal?

"At a glance" is generally considered neutral in formality and can be used in a variety of writing contexts.

What does "At a glance" mean?

"At a glance" means to understand something quickly or with minimal effort. It implies a superficial or initial understanding.