a quick look

USAGE SUMMARY

"a quick look" is a valid and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a brief or cursory observation or examination of something. Here are some examples: 1. "She took a quick look at the report before the meeting." 2. "He gave the painting a quick look and then moved on to the next one." 3. "I just need to take a quick look at the menu before we order." 4. "After a quick look around, she realized she was lost in the maze of hallways." 5. "The doctor took a quick look at the patient's symptoms and made a diagnosis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Take a quick look around your office.

The Guardian - Money

"Shingles," he said, after a quick look.

The New York Times - Health

A quick look at the history of ads in books.

The New Yorker

Another squirms; Ms Dantes silences him with a quick look.

The Economist

Other women had taken a quick look and said no.

The New Yorker

Anyway, I only meant to take a quick look.

The New Yorker

But first, a quick look at past form.

The Economist

A quick look at the remaining plausible candidates shows why.

The New Yorker

A quick look back, and what stands out?

The New York Times

I take a quick look at the numbers.

The Economist

This was what came from a quick look.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a quick look" to introduce a summary or overview, signaling to the reader that the information will be presented concisely.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences or paragraphs with "a quick look". This can make your writing repetitive. Instead, use synonyms like "a brief glance" or vary your sentence structure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a quick look" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as a subject or object in a sentence. It signifies the action of briefly examining something. Ludwig confirms the validity and common usage of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a quick look" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a brief examination. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, overuse can lead to repetitive writing. Consider synonyms like "a brief glance" to add variety. Be mindful of its neutral register and ensure it aligns with the intended audience and purpose of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a brief glance

Replaces "look" with "glance", implying a very short and cursory observation.

a swift peek

Substitutes "look" with "peek", suggesting a furtive or hurried viewing.

a cursory examination

Replaces the informal "look" with the more formal "examination", emphasizing a superficial review.

a fleeting glimpse

Uses "glimpse" instead of "look", indicating a very brief and possibly incomplete view.

a hasty scan

Changes "look" to "scan", suggesting a rapid and broad overview.

a fast check

Emphasizes the speed of the inspection by using "check" instead of "look".

a momentary view

Focuses on the brevity of the observation by using "view" and "momentary".

a brief survey

Replaces "look" with "survey", indicating a rapid and general assessment.

a short inspection

Emphasizes the limited time spent on the assessment with "short inspection".

a glimpse

Omits "quick" to provide a more concise phrase.

FAQs

How can I use "a quick look" in a sentence?

You can use "a quick look" to describe a brief examination or overview. For example, "Let's take "a quick look" at the data before making a decision".

What's a more formal alternative to "a quick look"?

If you need a more formal alternative, consider using "a cursory examination" or a "brief review". These phrases are suitable for professional or academic contexts.

Is it correct to say "a quickly look" instead of "a quick look"?

No, "a quickly look" is grammatically incorrect. "Quick" is an adjective modifying the noun "look". "Quickly" is an adverb and would be used to modify a verb, not a noun.

What is the difference between "a quick look" and "a detailed analysis"?

"A quick look" implies a superficial examination, while "a detailed analysis" suggests a thorough and in-depth investigation. The choice depends on the level of scrutiny required.