eyeing something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "eyeing something" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when describing someone looking at or considering something with interest or desire. Example: She was eyeing the new dress in the store window. Alternative expressions include "looking at," "watching," and "gazing at."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Music

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"If some other shopper sees you eyeing something, she'll go after it like a hawk".

The New York Times

"If they are eyeing something that they wish they could be doing, then they're not doing their job.

The New York Times - Arts

In the image, Berry sits looking pensively with his hands on his knees eyeing something in the distance as if he's about to leap into attack mode once the photo is taken.

The Guardian - Music

The former county treasurer told the Pilot on Friday, however, that he has not made "any firm commitment" regarding his political future or whether he is eyeing something at the local or state level — including Steel's seat on the Board of Equalization.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

And his eyes, something about his eyes.

The New York Times

In the corner of his eye, something blurred.

The Guardian - Books

"I spy with my little eye something black and dark".

The New Yorker

"I spy with my little eye something heading toward divorce".

The New Yorker

He added, "There was something about his eyes, something in there that you wanted to nurture".

The New York Times - Arts

He made a very important documentary film, "The Savage Eye," something like that.

Columbia University

TO A northern-hemispheric eye something is missing from Brazil's public squares.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "eyeing something" to convey a sense of interest or mild desire, especially when someone is considering options or possibilities.

Common error

Avoid using "eyeing something" when a stronger term like "obsessing over" or "planning to acquire" more accurately reflects the intensity of the desire or intention. "Eyeing" suggests a preliminary stage of consideration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "eyeing something" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. It describes the act of looking at something with interest or desire. Ludwig AI's examples showcase its use in describing both literal and figurative objects of interest.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Arts

20%

Music

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "eyeing something" is a grammatically sound gerund phrase used to express interest or consideration. While relatively rare, as Ludwig AI explains, the phrase commonly appears in news and media contexts. When writing, use it to convey a preliminary stage of interest, avoiding its use when a stronger term is more appropriate. Consider alternatives such as "considering something" or "observing something" for slight variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considering something

This alternative is a more formal way of expressing that someone is thinking about or evaluating something.

contemplating something

This suggests a deeper level of thought and consideration than "eyeing something".

considering a possibility

This phrase suggests the user is thinking about a possible future.

observing something

This focuses on the act of watching something, without necessarily implying desire or interest.

pondering something

This emphasizes the mental process of thinking deeply about something.

watching something

This is a more general term for looking at something, without the nuance of interest or intent.

scrutinizing something

This implies a careful and critical examination of something.

inspecting something

This suggests a more thorough and detailed examination of something.

desiring something

This shifts the focus to the feeling of wanting something, rather than the act of looking at it.

coveting something

This implies a strong desire for something, often with a sense of envy.

FAQs

How to use "eyeing something" in a sentence?

You can use "eyeing something" to describe someone looking at something with interest or considering it. For example, "She was "eyeing the new dress" in the store window."

What can I say instead of "eyeing something"?

You can use alternatives like "considering something", "watching something", or "contemplating something" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "eyeing something" or "eyeing at something"?

"Eyeing something" is correct. The verb "eye" is transitive and does not require the preposition "at". For example: She is eyeing a promotion is correct, She is eyeing at a promotion is incorrect.

What's the difference between "eyeing something" and "looking at something"?

"Eyeing something" implies more than just looking; it suggests interest, desire, or consideration. "Looking at something" is a more neutral observation without necessarily implying any particular emotion or intent.