a passing glance at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a passing glance at" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a quick or brief look at something without deep examination. Example: "After a passing glance at the report, she decided to delve deeper into the data presented."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

They walk around the city with scarcely a passing glance at the soldiers, only distinguishable from local police by the writing on their uniforms.

The Economist

Guitry, a legendary theatrical wit, rapidly swings his cast of provincial characters between delicious cunning and delightful obliviousness, with only a passing glance at virtue.

The New Yorker

A passing glance at the six-decade career of Jean Baptiste "Toots" Thielemans, who has died aged 94, suggests a quirky contrarian more than a sophisticated musical virtuoso.

The Guardian - Music

This contradiction, ambivalence or hypocrisy could provide a political opening for either party, especially the Republicans, whose energy plan offers only a passing glance at conservation.

The New York Times

PARIS — British newspapers sometimes give away CDs or DVDs in the hope that readers enticed by free copies of "Batman 26" might cast a passing glance at the headlines, too.

The New York Times

Only the most patient readers will get a whiff of Macaulay's dinner table (he favoured lobster curry and champagne) or a passing glance at his manners (his habit of reading Thucydides before breakfast left its pages flecked with blood from his barber's razor).

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

No, because actually I look very dissimilar to Bill Nighy up close, but at a passing glance it has happened.

The Guardian

We are getting to the point where these national polls are at least worth a passing glance, but it is still also worth paying attention to Mr. Obama's approval ratings.

The New York Times

Although we are getting to the point where these national polls are at least worth a passing glance, it is still also worth paying attention to Mr. Obama's approval rating.

The New York Times

Not just a passing glance, but a really serious inspection?

The Guardian - Money

No one gave them more than a passing glance.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a passing glance at" when you want to indicate that something was observed quickly and without much attention to detail. For example, "After "a passing glance at" the data, he knew something was wrong."

Common error

Avoid using "passing glance" to describe a detailed analysis. The phrase implies a lack of thoroughness; therefore, using it in the wrong context can mislead your reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a passing glance at" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating the manner in which an action (such as looking or examining) is performed. It implies that the action is done quickly and without much attention to detail, as supported by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a passing glance at" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe a quick, superficial look. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly news and media, but less common in formal writing. When you need to convey that an observation was brief and not in-depth, "a passing glance at" is a useful choice. However, be mindful of the context and consider more precise alternatives like "a quick look at" or "a brief review of" for formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a quick look at

Focuses on the speed of the observation.

a brief look at

Emphasizes the short duration of the observation.

a cursory examination of

Highlights the superficial nature of the inspection.

a superficial view of

Indicates a lack of depth in the understanding.

a fleeting glimpse of

Stresses the momentary nature of the viewing.

a casual look at

Implies a relaxed and informal observation.

a swift observation of

Highlights the speed and efficiency of the observation.

a light scan of

Suggests a quick and not very thorough inspection.

a brief survey of

Emphasizes a general overview without detailed analysis.

a shallow inspection of

Indicates a lack of in-depth scrutiny.

FAQs

What does "a passing glance at" mean?

The phrase "a passing glance at" refers to a quick or brief look at something without deep examination or thorough inspection. It implies a superficial observation.

How can I use "a passing glance at" in a sentence?

You can use "a passing glance at" to indicate that someone has looked at something quickly and without paying much attention. For example: "He gave "a passing glance at" the newspaper headlines while waiting for the bus."

What are some alternatives to "a passing glance at"?

Some alternatives to "a passing glance at" include "a quick look at", "a brief look at", or "a cursory examination of".

Is it appropriate to use "a passing glance at" in formal writing?

While "a passing glance at" is grammatically correct and understandable, it might be better to opt for a more precise and formal phrase like "briefly reviewed" or "conducted a preliminary assessment of" in academic or professional contexts.