a rapid glance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a rapid glance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a quick look or observation of something. Example: "She took a rapid glance at the clock and realized she was late for her meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

He can tell gem from paste, and antique from imitation, at a rapid glance — but his discriminating taste goes even further.

The New Yorker

At a rapid glance it might be a biblical scene, but the armed men on the left watch as their king gives in to the tearful pleas of his daughter to spare her husband, who has conspired against him.

The Guardian - Arts

Even though the authors of the HEART2D trial did not perform any specific assessment of glycemic variability, a rapid glance at the 7-point glycemic profile seems to indicate that the range of glycemic variability was different between the prandial and basal insulin regimens at study end.

Diabetes Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

A (very) rapid glance might tell you this is a tranquil picture of the Provençal countryside.

The Guardian - Arts

It's as if the body truly is an instrument: virtuosity is found in a rapid sideway glance, pivoting feet, a hip that sinks and shakes like a piece of machinery, or a brisk plunge to the floor.

The New York Times - Arts

The scene of their confrontation veers toward physical and emotional violence, the sort of unchallenged aggression which, though ostensibly benign, belongs to the same realm as the rapist's behavior, as Ann herself recognizes in the time of a rapid, horrified glance.

The New Yorker

At first glance this may seem a bit surprising because a rapid growth rate is normally associated with good overall health, to include immune function.

BMC Genomics

'Otis was a flame of fire; with a promptitude of classical allusions, a depth of research, a rapid summary of historical events and dates, a profusion of legal authorities, a prophetic glance of his eyes into futurity, and a rapid torrent of impetuous eloquence, he hurried away all before him.

Cornell University

Thus, although at first glance, the LAM sensitivity of 31% may seem modest the high specificity confers rule-in value enabling a rapid diagnosis in approximately a third more of patients than could have been obtained with microscopy.

Plosone

I was a "Rapid" fan.

Unicef

Bring to a rapid simmer.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a rapid glance" when you want to emphasize the speed and brevity of an observation. It's effective in descriptions where immediate assessment is crucial.

Common error

Avoid adding redundant adjectives. Instead of saying 'a very rapid glance', consider whether 'rapid glance' alone conveys sufficient emphasis. Too many modifiers can dilute the impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a rapid glance" typically functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a verb. It describes the act of looking quickly at something. Ludwig AI confirms its use in various contexts, emphasizing its versatility.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a rapid glance" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes a quick look or observation. It's most commonly found in news, scientific, and academic writing. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its versatile usage. While not overly frequent, this phrase is a valuable tool for conveying speed and brevity in descriptions. Consider alternatives like "a quick peek" or "a fleeting glimpse" to fine-tune the nuance of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fast look

Simple substitution of 'rapid' with 'fast'.

a swift look

Replaces 'glance' with 'look' and 'rapid' with 'swift', emphasizing speed.

a quick peek

Substitutes 'glance' with 'peek', implying a furtive or brief look, and 'rapid' with 'quick'.

a fleeting glimpse

Uses 'glimpse' instead of 'glance', highlighting the briefness of the look, and 'fleeting' instead of 'rapid'.

a speedy view

Replaces 'glance' with 'view' and 'rapid' with 'speedy', focusing on the quickness of seeing.

a passing look

Replaces 'rapid glance' with an adjectival phrase, emphasizing the transience of the look.

a brief survey

Replaces 'glance' with 'survey', suggesting a more comprehensive but still quick look, and 'rapid' with 'brief'.

a hasty scan

Changes 'glance' to 'scan', indicating a quick overview, and 'rapid' to 'hasty', emphasizing speed and potential lack of thoroughness.

a cursory observation

Substitutes 'glance' with 'observation', indicating a more formal or deliberate look, and 'rapid' with 'cursory'.

a momentary inspection

Replaces 'glance' with 'inspection', suggesting a more scrutinizing look, while maintaining the brevity.

FAQs

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

You can use "a rapid glance" to describe a quick observation. For example, "With "a rapid glance", she assessed the situation and formulated a plan."

What are some alternatives to "a rapid glance"?

Alternatives include "a quick peek", "a fleeting glimpse", or "a hasty scan", depending on the context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "a rapid glance" formal or informal?

"A rapid glance" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

What's the difference between "a rapid glance" and "a cursory glance"?

"A rapid glance" emphasizes the speed of the observation, while "a cursory glance" suggests a lack of thoroughness. "A rapid glance" may be quick but attentive, whereas "a cursory glance" implies a superficial assessment.