a rapid look

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a rapid look" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a quick glance or brief examination of something. Example: "Before making a decision, I took a rapid look at the report to gather the essential information."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

A rapid look through the names suggests Labour-voting university students.

The Guardian

It is probably an interesting way to have a rapid look at the diversity present in species.

Biology Direct

However, a rapid look at this dataset revealed a very patchy conservation of ATG1 and ATG2: in some species (other than mouse and rat), ATG1 or ATG2 or both we mutated (Fig.  2A).

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Now everyone is buzzing about the fashion bible's "73 Questions" series, which offers a rapid-fire look at the personalities of our favorite celebrities, including Sarah Jessica Parker, Reese Witherspoon and even Vogue's iconic editor Anna Wintour.

HuffPost

David Cameron has ordered a rapid review to look at whether it would be appropriate to withhold sickness benefits from those who are unwilling to accept help to lose weight.

Independent

For both Ryan and Mr. Novak, it has been a rapid rise that looks effortless.

The New York Times - Arts

We pulled to the side of the river and turned to watch Tim and Steve, who made the rapids look disappointingly easy, and then made camp in a little bay around the next bend.

The New York Times - Travel

The inflatables made easy Class II rapids look like challenging Class III, and Class III look like heart-stopping Class IV.

HuffPost

First, let's define what a rapid growth company commonly looks like.

Huffington Post

But I wouldn't look for a rapid rise in the employment rate because of this.

The Guardian - Opinion

Although the two step process has flexibility in choosing the proper microorganism for each step, it is necessary to look for a rapid fructose uptake strain for both fermentations.

Biochemical Engineering Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a rapid look" when you want to emphasize the speed with which something is examined. It's suitable when thoroughness is not the primary goal.

Common error

Avoid using "a rapid look" when a detailed investigation is required. Ensure the context aligns with a quick, superficial examination rather than an in-depth analysis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a rapid look" functions as a noun phrase, with "rapid" modifying the noun "look". It describes the action of looking, emphasizing its speed. As Ludwig indicates, it is a usable and correct English phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

67%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a rapid look" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase that describes a quick examination or assessment. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's suitable when emphasizing speed over thoroughness. While uncommon, it appears in various contexts, particularly in science and news media. Alternatives include "a quick glance" or "a brief survey". When writing, ensure that the context aligns with a quick, superficial examination, and that a more in-depth analysis is not required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a quick glance

Focuses on the speed and brevity of the look.

a swift overview

Stresses the speed and comprehensive nature of the examination.

a brief survey

Emphasizes covering the main points without going into detail.

a fast check

Implies a verification or confirmation process is involved.

a speedy assessment

Highlights the act of evaluating something quickly.

a cursory inspection

Highlights a lack of thoroughness in the examination.

a snap review

Emphasizes the ease and speed of the review.

a fleeting glimpse

Suggests the look was very short and possibly incomplete.

a thumbnail examination

Suggests a very small and high-level examination.

a lightning look

Uses figurative language to emphasize extreme speed.

FAQs

What does "a rapid look" mean?

The phrase "a rapid look" refers to a quick or brief examination of something, typically without going into great detail.

What can I say instead of "a rapid look"?

You can use alternatives like "a quick glance", "a brief survey", or "a cursory inspection" depending on the context.

How do you use "a rapid look" in a sentence?

Example: "I took "a rapid look" at the data to get a general overview."

Is "a rapid look" formal or informal?

The phrase "a rapid look" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal situations might benefit from alternatives such as "a brief assessment".