appraising glance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appraising glance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a look that evaluates or assesses someone or something, often conveying judgment or scrutiny. Example: "She gave him an appraising glance, trying to determine if he was trustworthy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

After an appraising glance at the lively fish, it was evident he would escape attempts aimed at his head.

The New Yorker

Previous pictures of Kim Jong-un show that he has his father's sceptical and appraising glance, one not without humour but at once disdainful.

Independent

Lurie gives a noncommital, non-judgmental little shrug and, laying down her needle, gives me an appraising glance, as though wondering if I understood a word she had said.

The Guardian - Books

He then turns to a freckled schoolboy, Colin Sullivan, and establishes just by his appraising glance that he takes a special, paternalistic interest in this obviously very bright lad.

The Guardian - Film

She would have done so herself, she recalls, but "I was too afraid of God then to have ever done it!" Nina's relationship with God is less traditional, and soon she has trained her appraising glance on Ned.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The Tibetans, after a few appraising glances, became indifferent to them, probably confident that the Chinese wouldn't be able to follow a conversation in English.

The New Yorker

Wearing a bulky bonnet with a scarflike chin strap, she is shown glancing off to one side, as if appraising everything around her, heavy-featured, cool-eyed, unromantic, skeptical, a Nuremberg hausfrau.

The New York Times - Arts

At the station, one of the cops had stared at Billie, running his appraising male eyes up and down her slim body before casting a glance in Julia's direction.

The New Yorker

Walsh was also appraising.

The New York Times - Sports

I knew he wasn't appraising me.

The New York Times

'Jane!' he said, appraising the outfit.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "appraising glance" to succinctly convey that someone is carefully evaluating a person or situation with a quick look. It adds a layer of subtle judgment to the description.

Common error

Avoid using "appraising glance" when you simply mean a quick look without evaluation. Use "quick glance" or "brief look" instead if there is no element of judgment or assessment involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appraising glance" functions as a noun phrase, where "appraising" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "glance". It describes a specific type of look characterized by evaluation or assessment. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "appraising glance" is a grammatically sound and useful phrase for describing a quick, evaluative look. Ludwig confirms its validity and provides examples from reliable news and media sources. While not extremely common, it effectively conveys a moment of assessment. When using this phrase, ensure that the context involves a genuine act of evaluation, differentiating it from a mere casual look. Alternatives like "evaluative look" or "assessing gaze" can be used to add nuance or formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evaluative look

Focuses more on the act of evaluation rather than the fleeting nature of a glance.

assessing gaze

Emphasizes a more sustained and thoughtful evaluation through looking.

critical stare

Implies a more judgmental and potentially negative assessment.

observant look

Highlights attentiveness and watchfulness, but lacks the judgmental aspect.

scrutinizing gaze

Suggests a very detailed and careful examination through looking.

evaluating gaze

It emphasizes the active process of evaluating, maintaining a formal tone.

analytical stare

Focuses on the intellectual analysis occurring during the act of looking.

thoughtful observation

Shifts the focus to the mental consideration inspired by the visual input.

careful perusal

Indicates thorough and attentive reading or examination, diverging from a quick glance.

discerning look

Emphasizes the ability to recognize subtle differences or qualities, suggesting insightful observation.

FAQs

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

You can use "appraising glance" to describe a quick look that evaluates someone or something. For instance: "She gave him an "appraising glance", trying to determine if he was trustworthy."

What's the difference between "appraising glance" and "critical stare"?

"Appraising glance" suggests a neutral evaluation, while "critical stare" implies a judgmental and potentially negative assessment.

What can I say instead of "appraising glance"?

You can use alternatives like "evaluative look", "assessing gaze", or "scrutinizing gaze" depending on the context.

Is "appraising glance" formal or informal?

"Appraising glance" has a neutral tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives such as "evaluating gaze" might be preferred in academic or professional settings.