a few glimpse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few glimpses" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a momentary or brief look at something. For example: "Through the window, I caught a few glimpses of the beautiful sunset".

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I was afraid after catching a few glimpse of the 808 that it would be too ungainly for day-to-day use, but one-handed operation was not only doable, it was pleasant.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Strong language and a few glimpses of skin.

The New York Times

A few glimpses of old photographs hint at a previous life.

The New York Times

The episode gives a few glimpses, through flashbacks, of how Ironside ended up in a wheelchair.

The New York Times - Arts

Yet many of us would be glad for even a few glimpses inside an animal's mind.

The New Yorker

Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk features no more than a few glimpses of battle.

The Guardian - Books

By modern standards, the film is scarcely racy at all: a few glimpses of flesh during a muted love scene.

The New York Times

| Updated The zoo reports that its staff did catch a few glimpses of the cub Monday night.

The New York Times

When Nureyev arrived, people in the West had had only a few glimpses of this early Marius Petipa ballet.

The New Yorker

"The Perfect Game" is rated PG (Parental Guidance suggested), presumably for a few glimpses of racism in action.

The New York Times

There's no condescension or caricature in Zieff's eye for faces... getting their qualities across in a few glimpses.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the plural form "glimpses" after "a few". Remember that "few" indicates more than one, requiring a plural noun.

Common error

Avoid using the singular noun "glimpse" after the quantifier "a few". The correct form is always the plural "glimpses".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few glimpse" attempts to function as a noun phrase, aiming to describe multiple brief views or insights. However, it is grammatically incorrect, as the noun should be plural to agree with the quantifier "few". Ludwig AI identifies the correct version as "a few glimpses".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a few glimpse" is an incorrect form; the correct phrase is "a few glimpses". The error arises from using a singular noun after the quantifier "few", which requires a plural noun. Ludwig AI confirms this correction. While the incorrect phrase appears in some news and media contexts, it's essential to use the grammatically correct "a few glimpses" in formal writing. Alternative expressions like "a brief look" or "a quick peek" can also be used to convey a similar meaning, depending on the nuance you wish to express.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a few glimpses

This is the grammatically correct plural form of the original phrase, making it a direct correction.

a brief look

This alternative uses simpler vocabulary and emphasizes the short duration of the viewing.

a quick peek

This option suggests a furtive or hurried viewing, adding a sense of secrecy or urgency.

a fleeting view

This emphasizes the transient nature of the view, highlighting its impermanence.

a passing glance

This implies a casual and often unintentional viewing, downplaying the viewer's intent.

a hint of

This suggests a subtle or indirect indication, rather than a direct visual experience.

a taste of

This presents a partial or introductory experience, like sampling something new.

a suggestion of

This emphasizes the indirectness and subtlety of the information received.

a suspicion of

This frames the information as a possible but unconfirmed idea.

a shade of

This paints the subject as holding slightly one certain characteristic.

FAQs

What is the correct form, "a few glimpse" or "a few glimpses"?

The correct form is "a few glimpses". The word "few" indicates a plural number, so it needs to be followed by a plural noun. Using the singular form "glimpse" after "a few" is grammatically incorrect.

How to use "a few glimpses" in a sentence?

You can use "a few glimpses" to describe seeing something briefly or partially. For example, "I caught a few glimpses of the sunset through the trees".

What can I say instead of "a few glimpses"?

You can use alternatives like "a brief look", "a quick peek", or "a fleeting view" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "a few glimpses" and "a passing glance"?

"A few glimpses" suggests multiple brief views, while "a passing glance" implies a single, quick look, often unintentional.