at her watch

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at her watch" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to refer to the time on her watch, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "She glanced at her watch to check the time before leaving."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Candy glanced at her watch.

The New Yorker

She looked at her watch.

The New Yorker

She grows quiet, looks at her watch.

The New York Times

Another looked at her watch.

The New York Times

Torres glanced at her watch.

The New York Times - Sports

She pointed at her watch.

The New York Times

Leslie looked at her watch.

The New Yorker

Berta glanced at her watch.

The New Yorker

Karen Johnson looked at her watch: five o'clock.

The New York Times - Sports

The respiratory therapist looked at her watch.

The New York Times - Magazine

She sighed and looked at her watch.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "at her watch". Instead, use phrases like "looked at her watch" or "checked the time on her watch" for grammatical accuracy and clarity.

Common error

The preposition "at" is often misused with time-related phrases. Remember to use "on" or "by" when referring to the time displayed. For example, say "on her watch" when talking about the watch itself, or "by her watch" when referencing telling time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at her watch" functions incorrectly as a prepositional phrase. While frequently used, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. The intended function is to indicate the action of looking or referring to a watch to check the time, but the preposition "at" is not used correctly in this context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "at her watch" is frequently encountered, Ludwig AI marks it as grammatically incorrect. Its intended meaning – indicating someone is checking the time – is better conveyed through phrases like "looked at her watch" or "checked the time on her watch". Despite its prevalence, especially in News & Media, it's advisable to avoid "at her watch" in formal writing. Remember that using appropriate prepositions and clear sentence construction contributes to better communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

looked at the time on her watch

Replaces the preposition "at" with a more specific description of the action, emphasizing the act of checking the time.

glanced at the watch on her wrist

Specifies the location of the watch and uses a verb that implies a quick look.

checked the time on her timepiece

Replaces "watch" with "timepiece", adding a touch of formality and emphasizing the instrument's function.

consulted her wristwatch

Uses a more formal verb ("consulted") and noun ("wristwatch") for a sophisticated tone.

saw the time on her watch

Focuses on the act of perceiving the time, rather than actively checking.

noticed the hour on her watch

Highlights the awareness of the specific hour, rather than just a general check of time.

read the time from her watch

Emphasizes the act of reading the time displayed on the watch.

took note of the time on her watch

Focuses on the act of remembering or registering the current time.

ascertained the time from her watch

A more formal way of saying she found out the time using her watch.

determined the time by her watch

Highlights the watch as the means by which the time was known.

FAQs

How can I correctly refer to someone checking the time using their watch?

Instead of saying "at her watch", use phrases such as "looked at her watch", "glanced at her watch", or "checked the time "on her watch"".

Is "at her watch" grammatically correct?

No, "at her watch" is not grammatically correct. The correct usage involves verbs like "look", "glance", or "check" followed by "at her watch" or specifying "the time on her watch".

What's the difference between saying "on her watch" and "at her watch"?

"On her watch" refers to something being her responsibility, whereas "at her watch" is not a standard or grammatically correct phrase to describe checking the time.

What are some alternatives to "at her watch" to indicate someone is checking the time?

Consider using phrases like "looking "at her watch"", "glancing "at her watch"", "checking the time", or "consulting her wristwatch" depending on the desired level of formality.