a second eye

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a second eye' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who can act as another observer to provide a different perspective on something. For example, you might say, "My sister is my second eye; she can see things I miss."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Examining the kitten's visual cortex, Hubel and Wiesel found that the open eye had taken over the neurons of the one that was closed, leaving the kitten forever unable to process information from a second eye.

The New Yorker

When a lens is on this structure, it is treated as a second "eye" (Tamamaki 1989), while a lensless extension is called an "accessory retina" (Henchman 1897; description in Zieger and Meyer-Rochow 2008).

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Brancusi's oak sculpture, standing 51.25 inches including its base, captures Socrates's appearance and strangeness in the sense that it looks different from every angle, including a second "eye" that cannot be seen if the first is in view.

SEP

"We will do a second eye test," he said.

HuffPost

A possible outer eyewall, a second eye larger than the first that often forms at the beginning of an eyewall replacement cycle, was noted at this time.

Wikipedia

But one of the creatures she paints swims away before she can give it a second eye, causing the bright fish to take a tumble down the side of a mountain.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Bournemouth had the best chance of the match, a close-range shot from Charlie Daniels after five minutes that looked to be heading in, only for Hugo Lloris to deflect the ball on to the bar with this leg and make a second eye-catching stop in four days after his stunning block of Javier Hernández's close-range strike in Tuesday's Champions League draw with Bayer Leverkusen.

The Guardian - Sport

This acts like a third eye – it gives me confidence.

Independent

"It was like getting a third eye," Schilling said.

The New York Times - Sports

The sudden appearance of a third eye on an actor's forehead is another.

The New York Times

Between his eyebrows, more or less in the position of a third eye, is Saturn.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a second eye" to emphasize the importance of an additional perspective or observer. This can be particularly effective in contexts where accuracy and thoroughness are critical.

Common error

Avoid using "a second eye" in very casual conversations where simpler alternatives like "another look" or "someone else checking" would suffice. Overusing it can make your speech sound overly formal or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a second eye" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a metaphor for an additional perspective or observer. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in describing visual perception, oversight, or additional support in various contexts. It often acts as a subject or object within a sentence, adding depth to the described situation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

42%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a second eye" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that signifies an additional perspective or observer. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase effectively highlights the value of having another viewpoint for accuracy and thoroughness, with multiple examples in News & Media and Science. While versatile, it's best suited for contexts where a more formal tone is appropriate. For more casual situations, simpler alternatives such as "another look" might be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an extra set of eyes

Similar to “another pair of eyes”, suggesting additional visual observation and oversight.

another pair of eyes

Highlights the benefit of having someone else visually inspect or observe something.

a secondary observer

Directly refers to someone who is watching or monitoring in addition to the primary observer.

another perspective

Emphasizes an additional viewpoint or way of understanding something.

an alternative viewpoint

Highlights a different and possibly contrasting way of seeing things.

a fresh outlook

Suggests a new and revitalized way of considering a situation.

additional insight

Focuses on gaining more understanding or knowledge about a subject.

a different angle

Implies looking at something from a new and potentially revealing direction.

a supplementary view

Indicates an extra or additional perspective that adds to the existing one.

a supporting viewpoint

Emphasizes how this additional perspective can add to the conversation and confirm the opinion previously expressed.

FAQs

How can I use "a second eye" in a sentence?

You can use "a second eye" to describe an additional perspective or observer that provides assistance. For example: "Having "another pair of eyes" on the project ensured we caught all the errors."

What is a good alternative to "a second eye"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "another perspective", "additional insight", or "another pair of eyes".

Is it better to say "a second eye" or "another eye"?

While both are grammatically correct, "a second eye" often implies an additional, distinct viewpoint or observer, whereas "another eye" can be more general. The choice depends on the specific context you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a second eye"?

The phrase "a second eye" is appropriate when you want to emphasize the value of having an additional perspective or observer to improve accuracy, catch errors, or gain a better understanding. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.