a fast glance

USAGE SUMMARY

"a fast glance" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe quickly looking at something. For example, "He gave the room a fast glance before entering."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Those potatoes and vegetables, included in the price of every entree, make Burke & Shapiro a better buy than a fast glance at the menu might indicate.

The New York Times

With a fast glance to the real-world situations, we can see that due date and setup costs are the most important criteria in production planning, especially in the make-to-order situation.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

I felt fast and a quick glance at my watch told me that I might actually make it close to my goal time -- four hours and 30 minutes.

Huffington Post

I can't get anyone else to cast more than a fast uninterested glance in their direction, but I know the truth.

The New York Times

Just a quick glance.

The New York Times - Food

Improvements included faster switching and response times between tasks, as well as improved ergonomics to ensure drivers received important information with a quick glance, Ford said.

The New York Times

I took a quick glance and retreated.

The New York Times

Mr. Taborn etched fast, glancing scribbles at the piano, punctuated by the occasional chordal chime; Mr. Black scraped and clomped around his drum kit, extracting sighing overtones from a cymbal with a violin bow.

The New York Times - Arts

I glanced at the people across from me, their feet in a fast pace as they rode the stationary bike.

Huffington Post

Here's an at-a-glance guide.

BBC

MALOGAM, India — In the fading afternoon light, Gammar Bam glanced down nervously at a fast-flowing river in a corner of northeastern India.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a fast glance" to describe a quick, often unintentional look at something. It is suitable when the viewer doesn't dwell on the object.

Common error

Avoid using "a fast glance" when the context implies a thorough or deliberate examination. The phrase suggests brevity and lack of focus, not careful observation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fast glance" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb. It describes the action of looking quickly at something. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a fast glance" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a quick, often fleeting, visual observation. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and readily usable in written English. While not exceedingly common, it finds its place in various contexts, particularly in news and media. When writing, remember that "a fast glance" is best used when emphasizing the brevity and lack of focused attention in the act of looking, and ensure that you are not implying careful scrutiny. Consider alternatives like "a quick peek" or "a brief look" to fine-tune the nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a passing glance

Uses 'passing' to describe the brief nature of the glance.

a quick peek

Replaces 'glance' with 'peek', implying a quicker, furtive look.

a brief look

Uses 'look' instead of 'glance' and 'brief' instead of 'fast', simplifying the expression.

a short glimpse

Uses 'short' to indicate the brevity of the 'glimpse'.

a fleeting glimpse

Substitutes 'fast' with 'fleeting' and 'glance' with 'glimpse', emphasizing the momentary nature of the look.

a casual look

Indicates a non-thorough and quick look.

a cursory look

Replaces 'fast' with 'cursory', suggesting a superficial or perfunctory look.

a momentary peek

Combines the furtiveness of 'peek' with the brevity of 'momentary'.

a swift observation

Employs 'swift observation', highlighting the speed and act of noticing.

a rapid survey

Replaces 'glance' with 'survey', implying a quick overall assessment.

FAQs

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

You can use "a fast glance" to describe a brief, quick look at something, for example, "He gave the room "a fast glance" before entering".

What's the difference between "a fast glance" and "a quick glance"?

While both phrases describe a brief look, "a fast glance" emphasizes the speed of the look, while "a quick glance" focuses on the shortness of the duration.

What are some alternatives to saying "a fast glance"?

Alternatives to "a fast glance" include phrases like "a brief look", "a fleeting glimpse", or "a passing glance", depending on the desired nuance.

Is "a fast glance" formal or informal?

"A fast glance" is generally considered a neutral phrase, suitable for both informal and formal contexts. However, in highly formal writing, more precise language might be preferred.