exchanging a glance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exchanging a glance" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to the act of looking at someone and quickly looking away, often conveying a shared understanding or agreement without speaking. It can be used in a variety of contexts to describe nonverbal communication between people. Example: As the two friends discussed their secret plan, they exchanged a knowing glance, each silently acknowledging their mutual excitement and eagerness.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

She sat in the dock with her former husband, but without exchanging a glance, while he pleaded.

The Guardian

He looked around to see who else had been watching – wanted at least the pleasure of exchanging a glance with another enraptured witness – but nobody was paying any attention.

The Guardian - Books

And over the coming months he placed his affairs in sufficient order to enable him to marry again -- largely by making two trips back East to be divorced from Nancy, neither speaking a word to her when they met in court nor even exchanging a glance, and offering little explanation or comfort to those old friends he saw.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Almost a decade later, the pair barely exchanged a glance as they stood in the dock at Westminster Magistrates Courtt, in central London, where they face the same charge.

Independent

My parents exchanged a glance.

The New Yorker

Maddy and I exchanged a glance.

The Guardian - Travel

I exchanged a glance with my interpreter.

The New York Times - Magazine

My son Matti and I exchange a glance.

The Guardian - Books

Mrs Merkel exchanged a glance on each side, but held Mr Seehofer's a bit longer.

The Economist

"Don't you regret doubting yourselves, being skeptical of what you felt?" The two women exchanged a glance.

The New York Times - Magazine

Mr. Martorano, a star witness for the prosecution, took the stand Monday against him; it was their first contact in decades, and they barely exchanged a glance.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "exchanging a glance" to subtly convey unspoken communication or shared understanding between characters in your writing.

Common error

Avoid overusing "exchanging a glance" to replace dialogue entirely. The phrase is most effective when used sparingly to enhance, not replace, verbal communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exchanging a glance" functions primarily as a verbal phrase describing a non-verbal communicative act. As supported by Ludwig, it accurately portrays the simultaneous action of two or more individuals briefly looking at each other.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "exchanging a glance" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a brief, unspoken communication between two or more people. Ludwig AI validates that it is a phrase used in a variety of contexts, although predominantly in news and media. While semantically similar alternatives such as "sharing a look" or "trading glances" exist, "exchanging a glance" maintains a unique nuance when conveying subtle understanding or agreement without verbal interaction. While it's helpful for creating compelling scenes in a story or describing human reaction in a news report, avoid excessive use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exchanging looks

General term for swapping a visual look between two subjects.

exchanging a knowing look

Emphasizes a shared secret or understanding.

trading glances

Highlights the reciprocal nature of the exchange.

sharing a look

This alternative emphasizes the shared nature of the nonverbal communication.

sharing a meaningful look

Adds an emotional depth, suggesting the glance conveys significant meaning.

casting a glance

Focuses on the act of one person briefly looking at another.

meeting eyes briefly

Focuses on the moment of eye contact.

giving a quick look

Simplifies the action, focusing on the speed and brevity.

stealing a glance

Implies a surreptitious or secretive look.

making eye contact briefly

More literal and descriptive, lacking the nuance of a shared understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "exchanging a glance" in a sentence?

Use "exchanging a glance" to describe a quick, often meaningful look between two or more people. For instance, "They were "sharing a look" of mutual understanding before the meeting started."

What does "exchanging a glance" mean?

It refers to a brief, often unspoken communication between individuals achieved through eye contact. It suggests a shared understanding, agreement, or recognition.

What are some alternatives to "exchanging a glance"?

You can use alternatives like "sharing a look", "trading glances", or "meeting eyes briefly" depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "exchange a glance" instead of "exchanging a glance"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different usages. "Exchange a glance" implies a more deliberate or conscious action, whereas "exchanging a glance" is the continuous form and typically describes the action as it happens or as a general tendency.