cast an eye

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cast an eye" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use this phrase to indicate that someone has taken a quick glance at something or to express the idea of looking at something with suspicion. Example: She cast an eye at the suspicious figure lurking in the alley.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

An eyewitness in 1860 cast an eye on the city's canals and glimpsed "dead cats and all kinds of putridity," in a stagnant pool "reeking with pestilential odors".

The New Yorker

Two guards casually cast an eye over their movements.

The Guardian

Now cast an eye over these wonderful drawings.

The Guardian - Books

No one cast an eye on the television set.

The New York Times

Had Lancaster's men cast an eye over those events in planning for this resumption of hostilities?

Independent

Two new photography books cast an eye on the American cultural landscape.

The New York Times

But cast an eye at TriBeCa Park, his new luxury high-rise on Chambers Street.

The New York Times

Last week a friend asked me to cast an eye over her extensive collection of cookbooks.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We cast an eye over the posh dresses, high heels and statement hats.

The Guardian - Sport

Allowing coaches to cast an eye over a potential pool of new talent is secondary.

The Guardian

Or did they just cast an eye on the Bulgarian dossiers?

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cast an eye" when you want to suggest a quick or initial assessment, often with the intention of further scrutiny if needed.

Common error

Avoid using "cast an eye" in highly formal or technical writing. Opt for more precise verbs like "examine" or "analyze" for clarity and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cast an eye" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase, typically used to describe the act of looking at something, usually quickly or casually. As Ludwig AI points out, it implies a brief inspection or observation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Sport

15%

Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cast an eye" is a common idiomatic phrase used to describe the act of glancing or briefly looking at something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts and has a neutral register. While acceptable in many situations, it's advisable to use more precise language in formal or academic writing. For alternatives, consider phrases like "take a look" or "glance at", depending on the desired level of formality and nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take a look

More direct and less idiomatic.

glance at

Implies a quicker and less thorough look.

observe

More formal and suggests a deliberate act of watching.

scrutinize

Implies a very careful and critical examination.

examine

Suggests a detailed inspection.

survey

Implies a broad overview.

inspect

Suggests an official or formal examination.

give it a once-over

More informal and implies a quick check.

check out

Very informal and suggests casual interest.

have a gander

Informal and British English.

FAQs

How can I use "cast an eye" in a sentence?

You can use "cast an eye" to describe a quick or initial look at something. For example, "The manager "cast an eye" over the report before the meeting."

What's a more formal alternative to "cast an eye"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "examine", "inspect", or "scrutinize" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "cast an eye" in academic writing?

While "cast an eye" isn't strictly incorrect, it's generally better to use more precise and formal language in academic writing. Consider using terms like "analyze" or "assess" instead.

What's the difference between "cast an eye" and "take a look"?

"Cast an eye" implies a brief or cursory glance, whereas "take a look" is more general and can refer to a more thorough examination.