a tender look

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tender look" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a gentle or affectionate expression on someone's face, often conveying warmth or compassion. Example: "She gave him a tender look that melted his heart."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

From the difficulties of loving Medusa to a poetic take on a John Singer Sargent painting and a tender look at death, five poems have been shortlisted for the Edwin Morgan international poetry competition.

The Guardian - Books

'Only the Young' on PBS, a tender look at a trio of teens.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Something about Hanna's softness and gentle beauty makes her look as if she's come straight out of a Vermeer painting: she has a classical, tender look about her.

Vice

★ 'Amour' (PG-13, 2 07) A masterpiece about life, death and everything in between, the latest from the great director Michael Haneke ("The White Ribbon," "Caché") takes a long, hard, tender look at an elderly French couple, Georges and Anne — played by two titans of French cinema, Jean-Louis Trintignant and Emmanuelle Riva — in their final days.

The New York Times

A masterpiece about life, death and everything in between, Michael Haneke's "Amour" takes a long, hard, tender look at an elderly French couple, Georges and Anne — played by two titans of French cinema, Jean-Louis Trintignant and Emmanuelle Riva — in their final days.

The New York Times

O. Scott) ★ 'Amour' (PG-13, 2 07) A masterpiece about life, death and everything in between, the latest from the great director Michael Haneke ("The White Ribbon," "Caché") takes a long, hard, tender look at an elderly French couple, Georges and Anne — played by two titans of French cinema, Jean-Louis Trintheirnt and Emmanuelle Riva — in their final days.

The New York Times

(Manohla Dargis) ★ 'Amour' (PG-13, 2 07) A masterpiece about life, death and everything in between, the latest from the great director Michael Haneke ("The White Ribbon," "Caché") takes a long, hard, tender look at an elderly French couple, Georges and Anne — played by two titans of French cinema, Jean-Louis Trintheirnt and Emmanuelle Riva — in their final days.

The New York Times

These works (now on DVD in a boxed set from Criterion) join an unsparing yet tender look at residents of this ghetto with a boldly aestheticized, nearly Faulknerian arc of history.

The New Yorker

The agency has put out a work tender looking for a software system to analyse social media data.

BBC

It was a whip-smart but tender look at coming of age, with Molly Ringwald as a girl whose 16th birthday is forgotten in the whirlwind of her sister's wedding; it featured emerging actors like Anthony Michael Hall, John Cusack, Joan Cusack and Jami Gertz, among others.

The New York Times

Produced by Katie Couric, National Geographic and World of Wonder, the film is a nuanced, complex and tender look at the way gender shapes our lives and experiences and the ongoing cultural conversation surrounding the spectrum of gender identity.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a tender look" to convey a sense of gentle affection or compassion, particularly in descriptions of personal interactions or emotional states. When describing art or creative works, consider using it to characterize a delicate or sensitive portrayal of a subject.

Common error

Avoid using "a tender look" in highly formal or technical writing where a more neutral or objective description is required. In such cases, opt for phrases that emphasize precision and detail over emotional nuance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tender look" functions as a noun phrase, where "tender" is an adjective modifying the noun "look". Ludwig confirms its usability in describing an affectionate expression. This phrase often serves as the subject or object of a sentence, conveying a gentle emotional quality.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a tender look" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a gentle and affectionate expression. Ludwig confirms its validity, with examples showing its use in contexts like news articles and creative writing. While most appropriate for neutral to informal settings, it's important to consider the context and opt for more precise language in formal or technical writing. Related phrases such as "a gentle gaze" or "an affectionate glance" can provide alternative ways to convey similar meanings, enriching your descriptive vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a gentle gaze

Emphasizes the softness and mildness of the visual expression.

an affectionate glance

Highlights the loving and caring nature of the look.

a warm expression

Focuses on the emotional warmth conveyed by the look.

a loving gaze

Directly states the presence of love in the look.

a compassionate view

Shifts the focus to a perspective filled with empathy.

a sympathetic eye

Highlights the understanding and care conveyed.

a soft regard

Emphasizes the gentleness and respect in the way someone is viewed.

a kind outlook

Focuses on the benevolent and gentle nature of the overall perspective.

a gentle observation

Highlights the mild and considerate nature of the observation.

a caring perspective

Emphasizes the element of care and concern in the viewpoint.

FAQs

What does "a tender look" mean?

The phrase "a tender look" describes a gentle and affectionate expression, often conveying warmth, compassion, or love.

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

You can use alternatives like "a gentle gaze", "an affectionate glance", or "a warm expression" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a tender look" formal or informal?

"A tender look" is generally considered appropriate for informal to neutral contexts. While understandable in formal writing, it can sometimes sound overly sentimental; consider stronger, more precise language for formal environments.

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

You might say, "She gave him a tender look that melted his heart," or "The artist captured a tender look in the subject's eyes."