a swift glance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a swift 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 swift glance at the clock before rushing out the door."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

A swift glance at the woman and Helen realized that she was not angry but desperate, and that Helen was now involved in an intimate, silent dialogue with her.

The New Yorker

A swift glance through the current and imminent lineup of openings indicates a neat baker's dozen of American titles alighting in the British capital for the late-spring/summer season.

The New York Times

A swift glance through the list of singers who have appeared on that tiny stage produces names like Janet Baker, Ann Murray, Sergei Leiferkus, Geraint Evans and Alessandra Marc.

The New York Times - Arts

Even a swift glance under said oak tree, which sits directly in front of the Augusta clubhouse, at any given moment – and as the Masters rages on ahead – is revealing.

The Guardian - Sport

Sadly, a swift glance at Battleborn shows that Blizzard were right to stick to the simplicity suggested by Team Fortress 2. Gearbox's entry into the genre turned out to be a confusing mess, with too many systems layered on top of each other leading to overlong, grindy matches.

The Guardian - Tech

A swift glance at Best Buy's newest UK store, in the south London suburb of Croydon, suggests that the retailer is in no hurry to take on HMV in the music stakes.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

I shot her a swift, horrified glance of apology, dashed inside one of the stalls and hid there for 10 minutes to give her plenty of time to flee.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

For most modern readers, Early Modern English poses enough semantic and syntactic difficulties to require editorial annotation that swift glance to the bottom of the page that informs us that many familiar words, such as virtue and honesty and credit, had different meanings then.

Encyclopedia Britannica

(Wolcott reports personal encounters with both writers: a "cool and perfunctory handshake" in the case of Oates, a "swift pair of averted glances" in Ford's).

The Guardian - Books

Just a glance at the makeup of the two main troupes at Lincoln Center provides a swift yes.

The New York Times - Arts

A Swift machine.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a swift glance" to vividly depict a character's hurried observation or assessment in narrative writing. It adds a sense of immediacy and can imply a lack of thoroughness.

Common error

While appropriate in descriptive contexts, overuse of "a swift glance" in formal reports may suggest a lack of in-depth analysis. Opt for more precise verbs like 'reviewed' or 'examined' to convey thoroughness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a swift glance" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a verb. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness. It describes the action of looking quickly at something.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Academia

6%

Science

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a swift glance" is a grammatically sound and generally accepted phrase, although Ludwig indicates that the phrase is only used uncommonly, primarily within news and media contexts. Functioning as a noun phrase, it efficiently conveys the act of a rapid and often superficial observation. While suitable for descriptive writing, it should be used judiciously in more formal or analytical contexts where thoroughness is paramount. Related phrases such as "a fleeting glimpse" or "a cursory look" may offer nuanced alternatives depending on the specific intent. Remember to avoid overuse in formal reports and favour more precise verbs when thoroughness is important.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fleeting glimpse

Emphasizes the brief and transient nature of the look.

a passing look

Highlights the incidental and transient nature of the glance.

a momentary glimpse

Emphasizes the extremely short duration of the visual experience.

a cursory look

Highlights the lack of thoroughness in the observation.

a fast observation

Focuses on the speed, similar to "swift", but potentially less graceful.

a quick peek

Suggests a furtive or secretive aspect to the glance.

a prompt view

Highlights the immediacy and quickness of the visual act.

a brief survey

Implies a more structured and intentional assessment, though still rapid.

a rapid scan

Focuses on the speed and systematic nature of the visual search.

a hasty observation

Underlines the rushed nature of the observation, potentially implying incompleteness.

FAQs

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

"A swift glance" is typically used to describe a quick look or observation. For example: "With "a swift glance", she assessed the situation."

What's the difference between "a swift glance" and "a quick look"?

While similar, "a swift glance" implies more speed and less deliberate attention than "a quick look". A quick look might involve slightly more focus, whereas "a swift glance" is almost instantaneous.

What can I say instead of "a swift glance"?

You can use alternatives like "a fleeting glimpse", "a cursory look", or "a quick peek" depending on the specific context.

Is "a swift glance" appropriate for formal writing?

It can be, especially in descriptive passages. However, in analytical or technical writing, more precise terms might be preferable to avoid implying superficiality. Consider using phrases like "a brief survey" or "a rapid scan" for a slightly more formal tone.