a swift look

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The first and second contain a swift look back, positioning the future of this field against its past.

Cornell University

Students are bright people (clever enough to go to university after all) and aren't daft enough to make choices based on a swift look at a university ranking.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

StaffWeb search still has the old SWIFT look and feel.

Columbia University

Staff-oriented blogs still have the old SWIFT look and feel.

Columbia University

It would then act at best as the necessary engine for renewed growth across Asia, at least as a vital guard against the danger of world recession turning into depression.Such is the disarray surrounding Japan's ruling party, the Liberal Democrats (LDP), that a swift solution looks unlikely.

The Economist

A swift afternoon looked in prospect when the Briton slipped an early break down in the second set, but he responded straight away with a thumping smash and began to assume control.

BBC

Murray was on course but not moving completely freely now, and his hopes of a swift victory looked in the balance when Lopez finally earned break points at 15-40 in game eight.

BBC

Swift looks at a photograph of herself and her friend tucked into the arch and, then, passes through the doors.

Wikipedia

Swift looks like an actress straight out of old Hollywood with her retro waves and tea-length dress.

Huffington Post

Just weeks after the 22-year-old singer was first spotted with her 18-year-old boyfriend, Conor Kennedy — a student at Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts and a son of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — Ms. Swift looked at houses for sale near the Kennedy compound in Hyannis Port, Mass.

The New York Times

Isle of Man-based Swift looked like he had made a decisive break for the line, but it was unfancied Demare (FDJ) who stepped out of his tracks to round the 28-year-old and Belgium's Jurgen Roelandts (Lotto-Soudal) to become the first Frenchman since Laurent Jalabert in 1995 to win La Classicissima.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a swift look" when you want to convey a sense of immediacy and brevity in observing something. For example, "After "a swift look" at the data, the analyst identified a critical error."

Common error

While acceptable, "a swift look" might sound too informal in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for phrases like "a brief examination" or "a cursory review" to maintain a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a swift look" functions as a noun phrase, with 'swift' modifying 'look'. According to Ludwig, it is a valid and usable phrase in written English. Examples show it describing a rapid or brief observation.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a swift look" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a rapid or brief observation, as affirmed by Ludwig. While its usage is relatively rare, it appears in contexts like news and academia. For more formal settings, alternatives like "a brief examination" may be more appropriate. When using this phrase, ensure the context aligns with the intended sense of immediacy and brevity. The examples provided showcase its practical application in diverse scenarios, ranging from academic analysis to real-world observations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a quick glance

Emphasizes the speed and brevity of the look.

a fleeting glimpse

Highlights the momentary nature of the observation.

a passing glance

Similar to a fleeting glimpse, indicating a quick and not very focused look.

a brief examination

Suggests a more formal and slightly more thorough inspection than just a look.

a speedy observation

Focuses on the speed with which the observation is made.

a cursory review

Implies a superficial or hasty review, often due to time constraints.

a short inspection

Suggests a concise and efficient examination.

a fast peek

Informal and suggests a quick and often secretive look.

a brief survey

Indicates a quick overview of something.

a rapid assessment

Implies a quick evaluation or judgment.

FAQs

What does "a swift look" mean?

The phrase "a swift look" refers to a quick or brief glance at something, often implying that the observation is done rapidly.

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

You can use "a swift look" to describe a rapid observation. For instance, "He took "a swift look" around the room before exiting."

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

You can use alternatives like "a quick glance", "a brief examination", or "a cursory review" to convey a similar meaning.

When is it appropriate to use "a swift look" versus "a thorough inspection"?

"A swift look" is suitable for casual or time-constrained situations where a detailed inspection isn't necessary. "A thorough inspection", on the other hand, is appropriate when a detailed and comprehensive examination is required.