crane neck

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "crane neck" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a person's posture or physical action resembling that of a crane bird's long, slender neck. Example sentence: As she walked gracefully across the stage, her elegant crane neck held her head high, radiating confidence and poise.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science & Research

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

To keep the chicks from learning that humans mean a free meal, the trainers dress up in a flapping white sheet and hold out a long "robocrane" appendage that looks like a crane neck and head.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

I crane my neck again.

The Guardian

You have to crane your neck to catch a glimpse of Salad's acoustic set.

The Guardian - Music

If I crane my neck, there's a sliver of sea view from the back window.

The Guardian - Travel

I sneak behind to peek, pretending to crane my neck to look for the train.

The New Yorker

He was almost directly below him and really had to crane his neck.

The New Yorker

If you crane your neck, you can just about see the outside world.

The Guardian - Arts

The view of the water is good if you crane your neck out the window.

The New York Times - Arts

Since he never smiles, it is impossible to tell, so I crane my neck.

The Guardian

The Contemporary Fashion room forces you to crane your neck, because the designs have literally been put on pedestals.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The whole of London spreads out below, but you'll have to crane your neck to see it.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "crane neck" when you want to vividly describe someone stretching their neck to see something, emphasizing the effort or awkwardness of the posture.

Common error

Avoid using "crane neck" when a simple turn of the head would suffice. It implies a more pronounced and often strained movement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "crane neck" functions primarily as a verb followed by a noun, describing the action of extending one's neck, often due to an obstruction or the height of an object. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "crane neck" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe the action of stretching one's neck to see something, often implying effort or awkwardness. According to Ludwig AI, it is usable in written English. It appears frequently in news and media and science. When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a pronounced neck extension rather than a simple head turn. Consider alternatives like "stretch neck" or "strain neck" for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stretch neck

Emphasizes the act of extending the neck, similar to "crane neck".

strain neck

Focuses on the effort and potential discomfort of extending the neck.

extend neck

Describes the action of making the neck longer, similar to "crane neck".

look upwards

Indicates the direction of sight requiring neck extension.

gaze skyward

Specifically refers to looking towards the sky, often necessitating neck extension.

raise head

Implies lifting the head, which often involves some neck movement.

tilt head back

Describes the action of tilting the head backward to see something higher.

peek upwards

Suggests a quick glance upwards, possibly requiring neck adjustment.

peer above

Involves looking carefully at something above, possibly with neck strain.

lift gaze

Describes raising one's sight, which can involve neck movement.

FAQs

What does "crane neck" mean?

"Crane neck" refers to stretching or extending one's neck, often to see something above or behind, resembling the posture of a crane bird.

How can I use "crane neck" in a sentence?

You can use "crane neck" to describe the action of someone stretching their neck, as in "I had to "crane neck" to see over the crowd."

What can I say instead of "crane neck"?

You can use alternatives like "stretch neck", "strain neck", or "extend neck" depending on the context.

Is it okay to say "craning neck"?

Yes, "craning neck" is the present participle form and can be used in continuous tenses, such as "He was craning his neck to get a better view."