at an image of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at an image of" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to describe looking or focusing on a specific image, but the preposition "at" is not typically used in this context. Example: "She gazed intently at the image of the sunset."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Early in Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth, the former vice-president pauses at an image of Earth.

The Guardian - Film

"Did you look at an image of child pornography?" "Yes".

The Guardian

I look at an image of happiness and I see the void.

The Guardian - Arts

Increasingly, phones will allow users to look at an image of what is around them.

The New York Times - Science

She looks over her reading glasses at an image of Jered and C, and nods in approval.

The Washington Post

Looking at an image of an attractive friend rather than their partner had only a mild analgesic effect.

The Guardian

"This is a built-in; it's still there," Mr. Gotkin said, pausing at an image of a kitchen counter made from a burst of redwood slabs.

The New York Times - Arts

"Yet there's no question," he said, "that when you look at an image of New York from whatever period, it's impossible not to think of that terrible day".

The New York Times

"It's beautiful," she said as she gazed at an image of a tree-lined street that Mr. Wolkoff had projected on a screen.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

But he is good at looking good – at projecting an image of virtue.

The Guardian - Opinion

At right, an image of a Boston artery shows the exceptional detail the MACHETE system captures.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer using prepositions like "of", "in", or "at" with verbs like "looking", "viewing", or "gazing". Example: "looking at a picture of the Earth" is correct, instead of using the ungrammatical "looking at an image of the Earth".

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "at an image of" directly. It is grammatically incorrect. Instead, rephrase the sentence to use more suitable prepositions like "of" or "in", or replace "image" with other words like "photo" or "picture".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at an image of" functions as a prepositional phrase, but its usage is grammatically questionable according to Ludwig AI. While it frequently appears, especially in news and media, standard English prefers alternative constructions. The phrase seems to act as an adverbial modifier, describing how someone is looking or interacting with something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

9%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

Despite its frequent occurrence, particularly in news and media, the phrase "at an image of" is deemed grammatically incorrect by Ludwig AI. While it intends to describe the act of viewing something, the structure is non-standard. Consider alternatives like "looking at a picture of" or "viewing a photograph of" for improved grammatical accuracy. While the phrase's meaning is generally understood, opting for grammatically sound alternatives enhances clarity and credibility in writing. Ludwig's analysis suggests that, while prevalent, this construction should be used with caution, especially in formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

looking at a picture of

Replaces "image" with the more common "picture", offering a simpler and more direct phrasing.

viewing a photograph of

Substitutes "image" with "photograph", specifying the type of visual representation.

examining a depiction of

Uses a more formal term, "depiction", to describe the visual representation.

observing a representation of

Employs "observing" instead of "looking", and "representation" instead of "image", providing a more analytical tone.

inspecting a visual of

Replaces "image" with the broader term "visual", suggesting a closer examination.

staring at a graphic of

Offers "staring" as a more intense form of looking and "graphic" as a type of image.

analyzing a display of

Shifts the focus to analysis, replacing "image" with "display" to emphasize presentation.

considering a portrayal of

Uses "portrayal" to emphasize the artistic or representational aspect of the image.

studying a rendering of

Implies a detailed study, replacing "image" with "rendering" to suggest artistic interpretation.

perusing a figure of

Uses "perusing", suggesting a casual glance, and "figure" as a general term for an image or form.

FAQs

What's a grammatically correct alternative to "at an image of"?

Instead of "at an image of", you can use phrases like "looking at a picture" or "viewing a photograph", which are grammatically sound and widely accepted.

Is "at an image of" considered standard English?

No, "at an image of" is not considered standard English. While frequently used, it's advisable to use more grammatically correct alternatives in formal writing.

When is it acceptable to use "at an image of"?

While not grammatically correct, "at an image of" might be acceptable in informal contexts or conversational speech. However, for professional or academic writing, it's best to opt for a more precise phrasing.

How can I improve my sentence if I used "at an image of"?

Revise your sentence to include a more suitable preposition. For example, change "looking at an image of" to "looking at a photo of" or "looking at an image in". The former uses a synonym for "image", the latter a proper preposition.