critical gaze

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "critical gaze" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to describe someone looking at something in a very careful and judgmental manner. For example, "The panel members gave her presentation a critical gaze as they prepared to ask their questions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

I hope they're nice about my face, and my penetrating critical gaze.

The Guardian - Arts

PARIS — When German researchers cast their critical gaze over debt-ridden institutions, you know they won't like what they find.

The New York Times

In her essay, Dalbesio subverts the camera's critical gaze by scrutinising the imperfect aspects of her own body.

Independent

Ms. DiGiovanni, who said she regularly gets antiwrinkle Botox and Restylane injections, held up a mirror and examined her face with an experienced, critical gaze.

The New York Times

I could imagine him turning that critical gaze to the beauty and torment of tennis, its geometric choreography and pitiless drama.

The Guardian - Books

Irving moves seamlessly between the wide-eyed perspective of the child and the critical gaze of the adult, creating a tale as beautiful as it is discomfiting.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Joy! Or – to put that more soberly, after the phoney war ushered in by those Mission Fabulous trailers – the first episode of this weekend's double bill will have six couples doing competitive hoofing out on the floor for the first time under the critical gazes of Len Goodman and friends.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Eventually, however, they were less bothered by critical gazes than they expected.

Huffington Post

Is that what explains this sudden, self-critical gaze in the Hollywood mirror?

The Guardian

She fixed the tutors, while they were talking, with a steady, critical, attentive gaze.

The New Yorker

Functionally, the VOR is critical for gaze stabilization during head perturbations, and is mediated by a combination of vestibular and retinal velocity signals.

Brain Stimulation

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "critical gaze" when you want to convey a sense of careful scrutiny and judgment in someone's observation. It's effective for describing a focused and evaluative look.

Common error

Avoid using "critical gaze" when a neutral or purely observational look is intended. The phrase implies a degree of judgment and scrutiny, which may not always be appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "critical gaze" functions as a noun phrase, where "critical" modifies the noun "gaze". It describes a particular manner of looking characterized by careful evaluation and judgment. As Ludwig examples show, it's used to describe observers assessing various subjects.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "critical gaze" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe a discerning and evaluative way of looking. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted in written English and carries a connotation of careful scrutiny. Its frequency across various sources indicates its versatility, though it's most prevalent in news and media contexts. While alternatives like "critical look" or "scrutinizing gaze" exist, "critical gaze" remains a direct and effective way to convey the act of observing with a judgmental and analytical perspective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

critical look

Replaces "gaze" with "look", focusing on the act of directing one's sight with scrutiny.

critical eye

Substitutes "gaze" with "eye", emphasizing the faculty of sight and judgment.

scrutinizing gaze

Replaces "critical" with "scrutinizing", highlighting the thoroughness of the observation.

discerning gaze

Replaces "critical" with "discerning", emphasizing the ability to perceive subtle differences.

analytical gaze

Replaces "critical" with "analytical", highlighting a focus on detailed examination.

judgmental gaze

Replaces "critical" with "judgmental", directly indicating an assessment or evaluation.

sharp gaze

Replaces "critical" with "sharp", emphasizing the intensity and focus of the look.

close inspection

Shifts from "gaze" to "inspection", emphasizing a detailed and careful examination.

careful observation

Replaces the phrase with a more general term emphasizing attentiveness and detail.

thorough examination

Emphasizes the completeness and depth of the review, moving away from the visual aspect.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "critical gaze" in a sentence?

Use "critical gaze" to describe someone observing with a discerning and evaluative perspective. For example, "The art critic cast a "critical gaze" over the painting."

What are some alternatives to "critical gaze" that I can use?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "critical look", "critical eye", or "scrutinizing gaze".

Is there a difference between "critical gaze" and "judgmental gaze"?

While both phrases imply evaluation, "judgmental gaze" ("judgmental gaze") more directly emphasizes a potentially negative or biased assessment, whereas "critical gaze" suggests a more analytical and discerning observation.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "critical gaze"?

Avoid using "critical gaze" in situations where the observation is meant to be neutral or purely observational, as the phrase implies a degree of evaluation and potential judgment.