a sneak preview

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sneak preview" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an early or advance showing of something, such as a movie, product, or event, to generate interest. Example: "The studio held a special event to give fans a sneak preview of the upcoming film."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I got a sneak preview.

The Washington Post

But we've got a sneak preview!

The Guardian

Yesterday Brown gave a sneak preview.

The Guardian - Opinion

Opening night is Tuesday, with a sneak preview tomorrow.

The New York Times

On Time's Web site, he offers a sneak preview.

The New York Times

Here is a sneak preview of his analysis.

The Guardian - Business

But with the dollar, a big dealer's order books provide a sneak preview.

The Economist

A sneak preview from her Twitter account: "Wild, fun, glam Lanvin show.

The New York Times

BAMcinématek will offer a sneak preview on Monday as part of its Next Director series.

The New York Times

I had a sneak preview of the new Kunstkammer last week.

Independent

Here's a sneak preview of next week's cover, "One on One," by Barry Blitt.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a sneak preview" to create excitement and anticipation when introducing a new product, service, or event. It signals exclusivity and early access, which can attract attention.

Common error

Avoid using "sneak peek" interchangeably with "sneak preview" in formal writing. While both convey a similar idea, "sneak preview" is generally considered the more formal and widely accepted phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sneak preview" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the object of a verb. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and can be used to refer to an early or advance showing of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a sneak preview" is a common and grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe an early or exclusive look at something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use. It is most frequently found in news and media, formal business settings, and academic contexts. While alternatives like "an advance look" or "a first glimpse" exist, "a sneak preview" maintains a unique sense of excitement and anticipation, making it a valuable tool for generating interest in upcoming events or products. When using this phrase, be mindful to use "sneak peek" only in informal context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an exclusive preview

Emphasizes the limited availability and privileged nature of the viewing.

a pre-release glimpse

Specifically indicates a viewing before the official release of a product or event.

an advance look

Focuses on seeing something before it's generally available; less emphasis on secrecy or exclusivity.

a first glimpse

Emphasizes the initial moment of seeing something, often suggesting a brief view.

an early viewing

Highlights the temporal aspect of seeing something sooner than others.

an initial viewing

Highlights the temporal aspect of being among the first to see.

a behind-the-scenes look

Suggests access to something normally hidden from public view.

an inside look

Suggests exclusive access to information or a viewing opportunity.

a quick peek

Implies a very brief and informal look at something.

a taste of things to come

Suggests getting a small sample of something larger that will be revealed later.

FAQs

What does "a sneak preview" mean?

The phrase "a sneak preview" refers to an opportunity to see something, such as a movie or product, before it is officially released or made available to the general public. It implies an early, often exclusive, viewing.

How can I use "a sneak preview" in a sentence?

You can use "a sneak preview" to describe an early look at something. For example: "The company offered "a sneak preview" of their new product at the conference."

What can I say instead of "a sneak preview"?

You can use alternatives like "an advance look", "a first glimpse", or "an exclusive preview" depending on the context.

Which is more formal, "a sneak peek" or "a sneak preview"?

"A sneak preview" is generally considered more formal than "a sneak peek". While both are common, "sneak preview" is often preferred in professional contexts.