eyeing

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "eyeing" is correct and used in written English.
You can use it when something is looked at with particular attention or interest. Example: She was eyeing the delicious cake, wondering if she should have a slice.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Tories are eyeing seats like Labour-held marginal Birmingham Northfield and Walsall North where the Conservatives came a close second in both 2010.

The Guardian

This is when first-year students begin eyeing up where they are going to live in their second year, starting in September or October – which is where the society's "Buy for Uni" product comes to the fore.

The Guardian - Money

But the few grim-faced men hanging around platform at Poznań, eyeing passengers with shifty gazes, might have given something away, had I paid them enough attention.

The Guardian - Music

I grew up on lentils and cheaper cuts of meat, while jealously eyeing my friends' turkey dinosaurs and spaghetti hoops.

The Guardian - Opinion

McQueen, a favourite of the art-house festival circuit, appears to be eyeing a mainstream breakthrough with his biggest film to date, while writer John Ridley (Three Kings and U-Turn) has a shout in the race for best adapted screenplay.

The Guardian - Film

Atlético may not be able to retain their title any more but they cannot switch off as Valencia are only four points behind them, and Diego Simeone's side will be eyeing Sunday's trip to lowly Levante as a good chance to keep Los Che at bay.

The Guardian - Sport

They're all sitting beneath a framed portrait of Charles Darwin, that lavishly bearded Victorian paterfamilias, who seems to be eyeing their cleavages during the rest of the cabaret.

The Guardian

Within just a couple of years, his Socialist successor, François Hollande, is the most unpopular president of modern France and Sarkozy is eyeing a comeback.

The Guardian

Edmonton was once part of the classic urban cycle: a first move for immigrants heading out of inner London with a bit of money and a yen for a garden; a last-but-one move for the white working class, already eyeing up a retirement bungalow in the home counties.

The Guardian

By now Lyth was eyeing a hundred and had slowed down.

The Guardian - Sport

Labour is eyeing seats like Lib-Dem held Norwich South, where it was second in 2010 and has a strong base.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "eyeing" to convey a sense of active observation with a hint of intent or interest. It's suitable for situations where someone is not just passively looking, but also potentially considering something.

Common error

Avoid using "eyeing" when simply describing someone looking at something without any implied interest or intent. Opt for a more neutral term like "looking at" or "watching" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "eyeing" is that of a present participle, often used as part of a continuous verb tense (e.g., "is eyeing") or as a gerund. As shown in Ludwig, it describes an action of looking at something with a particular interest or intention.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

19%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "eyeing" functions as a present participle, conveying active observation combined with intent or interest. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in diverse contexts, with a notable presence in news and media. While fairly neutral, its register remains suitable for professional and general writing, avoiding excessive formality. When deploying the expression "eyeing", consider synonyms like "considering" or "observing" to add depth to your writing. Remember to avoid using "eyeing" when merely describing a look without specific interest.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considering

Focuses on mental deliberation and assessment, rather than visual observation.

contemplating

Implies a more thoughtful and prolonged consideration compared to simply "eyeing".

observing

Highlights the act of watching something, often for a specific purpose.

scrutinizing

Suggests a more detailed and critical examination.

monitoring

Emphasizes a continuous tracking or supervision of something.

watching

A more general term for looking at something, without necessarily implying intent or interest.

surveying

Implies a broad overview or assessment of a situation or area.

assessing

Focuses on evaluating the value or potential of something.

evaluating

Highlights a formal or systematic appraisal of something.

considering the possibility

Explicitly states the consideration of a potential action or outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "eyeing" in a sentence?

You can use "eyeing" to describe someone observing something with interest or intent, such as "The company is "eyeing expansion" into new markets" or "She was "eyeing the dessert", trying to decide if she should order it".

What are some alternatives to the word "eyeing"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "considering", "observing", or "contemplating" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say someone is "eyeing up" something?

Yes, "eyeing up" is a phrasal verb that means to look at someone or something with desire or interest, often with the intention of acquiring it. It is commonly used and grammatically sound.

What is the difference between "eyeing" and "watching"?

"Watching" is a more general term for looking at something, while "eyeing" implies a more focused and interested observation, often with a specific purpose or intent in mind.