a gaze over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a gaze over" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means to look carefully and thoughtfully at something. Example: She took a gaze over the horizon, marveling at the beauty of the sunset.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Then he realized that at the Friday night Super Bowl party at the Astrodome, he had stopped on the sawdust floor to gaze over a red curtain at a dozen prize beef cattle whose side-by-side rumps resembled those of an offensive line waiting for the snap.

The New York Times - Sports

I don't recall whether, when I watched the scene at 13, I had any sense that I'd gaze over a similar chasm someday.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mr. Yang's minimalist style works as a gaze of all-over, noncommittal attentiveness.

The New York Times - Arts

It differs starkly in this regard from its principal foe, the Labor party, prone to a fault to navel gaze, over-analyse and second guess itself.

The Guardian - Opinion

On a building site gazed over by the latticed middle finger that is Centre Point, Amy Lamé, writer, entertainer, sometime Pink List National Treasure and recently appointed as London's first "night tsar" by Sadiq Khan, explained to a hi-vised, hard-hatted showbiz camera crew why flattening a patch of a conservation area has been a good idea.

The Guardian

No longer through the gaze of the strategist who owns the land, but through a gaze pondering over the awareness of reciprocity, respecting its authority (Wenders 1992), which is not a new pantheism, but a critical reflection on the deep meanings that the reciprocity of this relationship has for urban life.

City, Territory and Architecture

"It's all over with," Marilyn Onorato said, casting a final gaze over the 32 lanes at Fairway Bowling.

The New York Times

When I asked if he recognized any of his attackers, Ibrahim cast a meaningful gaze over the dour young men in sunglasses now crowding in around us. "I knew some of them," he replied.

The New York Times - Magazine

Then, as the nation cast a desultory gaze over the funeral of Princess Margaret at Windsor Castle, west of London, word began to leak out that both Ms. Moore and Mr. Sixsmith had been obliged to quit their highly paid jobs.

The New York Times

As they recall, 'wherever government wanted to do something, we investigated', or 'wherever there was a problem, we were sent to research' – 'we were the eyes of government', extending a panoptic gaze over the urban territory.

Africa

You can stand on a ridge and gaze over an endless landscape where nothing is manmade.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone of your writing when using "a gaze over". It can suggest a sense of wonder, thoughtfulness, or even longing, making it appropriate for descriptive and reflective writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a gaze over" in highly technical or scientific writing where precise observation or measurement is required. More neutral and specific terms like "observation" or "analysis" may be more suitable in those cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a gaze over" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It signifies the act of looking or surveying something, often with a sense of contemplation or appreciation. Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

20%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a gaze over" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe the act of looking thoughtfully or comprehensively at something. As shown by Ludwig, the phrase appears frequently in News & Media and Science contexts. While alternatives like "a look across" or "a survey of" exist, "a gaze over" specifically conveys a sense of contemplation or appreciation. When writing, it is important to use the phrase in contexts where a detailed visual act is required and to avoid overusing it in highly technical contexts. Despite appearing most often in neutral scenarios, it is suitable for general audiences in both formal and informal scenarios. Overall, it's a practical phrase to employ in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a look across

Changes the verb from "gaze" to "look", implying a less intense or prolonged observation.

a survey of

Replaces "gaze" with "survey", suggesting a more comprehensive and systematic examination.

a view of

Substitutes "gaze" with "view", focusing on the visual perspective or vista.

an inspection of

Uses "inspection" instead of "gaze", implying a closer and more critical examination.

an observation of

Replaces "gaze" with "observation", highlighting the act of noticing or paying attention.

a scan of

Uses "scan" which means to look quickly but carefully.

a perusal of

Uses "perusal" which means to examine carefully, usually in a leisurely way.

a contemplation of

Replaces "gaze" with "contemplation", suggesting a deep and thoughtful observation.

a study of

Uses "study" instead of "gaze", implying a more analytical and detailed examination.

a regard for

Employs "regard" which implies a thoughtful or respectful look.

FAQs

How can I use "a gaze over" in a sentence?

You can use "a gaze over" to describe someone looking thoughtfully or comprehensively at something. For example, "She cast "a gaze over" the landscape, absorbing its beauty."

What are some alternatives to "a gaze over"?

Alternatives include "a look across", "a survey of", or "a view of", depending on the context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "a gaze over" formal or informal?

"A gaze over" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it tends to lend a slightly more descriptive or literary feel to writing.

What is the difference between "a gaze over" and "a glance at"?

"A gaze over" implies a more prolonged and thoughtful look, while "a glance at" suggests a quick, fleeting look. The former is more intentional and immersive.