final glance

USAGE SUMMARY

"final glance" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means a quick look or a brief view at the end or conclusion of something. Example: As she was leaving the room, she took one final glance at the painting on the wall, remembering the memories attached to it.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

I take a final glance around Ray's gallery.

The Guardian - Arts

As I left town, I cast one final glance back at Greebo.

The New Yorker

As she casts a final glance over the table there is a knock at the door.

The New York Times - Books

One final glance toward the tunnel from the locker room and Wicks was able to breathe a sigh of relief.

The New York Times - Sports

With a final glance to make sure no one was around, she screwed up her courage and marched straight up to the police.

The New York Times

"If I became very rich tomorrow, this is where I'd shop," Mr. Mantegazza says wistfully on his way out, a final glance back at the clubby, decadent atmosphere.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Final glances and handshakes were made, and before we knew it, we were off.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In the other movie, the one she prefers, the master is not yet blind when his wife coldly dismisses the governess, mainly because of the ten good minutes that have gone before, and at the door, before the poor governess steps out and disappears into a winter storm, there is a final shared glance between her and the master that tears at the heart.

The New Yorker

Diana Vishneva, a Kirov ballerina who also appears with American Ballet Theater, did a fine job of conveying the encounter with death — she is not afraid to let ugliness creep into the occasionally frantic beating-of-wings movements — without arousing any real pathos until her final upward glance suggested a last, desperate look at life.

The New York Times - Arts

She says her goodbye to that beloved nursery, exits and then quietly returns to peek back one last time, packing more emotion into that final desperate glance than we've felt all night.

Huffington Post

As he ran the final blocks, he glanced at his watch six times and finally realized that his 2006 course record of 2 hours 7 minutes 14 seconds was safe.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "final glance" to add a touch of closure or reflection to a scene, especially when describing a character's departure or a significant moment ending.

Common error

Avoid using "final glance" excessively in descriptive writing; vary your language to maintain reader engagement. Instead of repeatedly using the phrase, consider using synonyms like "last look" or "parting look", or focusing on what is seen rather than the act of glancing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "final glance" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb (e.g., "take", "cast", "give"). It describes the action of looking one last time. Ludwig examples show it used to describe a concluding look at a place or object.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "final glance" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a concluding look, often conveying a sense of closure or farewell. According to Ludwig, it is most frequently found in News & Media contexts. While the phrase is widely accepted, it's important to avoid overuse and consider synonyms such as "last look" or "parting look" to maintain reader engagement. The phrase's neutral register makes it suitable for various writing styles, from formal news reports to informal personal narratives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

last look

Focuses on the action of looking for the last time, simplifying the phrase.

parting look

Emphasizes the act of looking as one departs or separates.

concluding look

Highlights that the look is the final one in a sequence.

last glimpse

Substitutes "glance" with "glimpse", implying a brief or fleeting look.

final peek

Replaces "glance" with "peek", suggesting a quick and often secretive look.

final view

Uses "view" instead of "glance", indicating a more comprehensive visual impression.

last sighting

Focuses on the act of seeing something for the last time.

final sighting

The action of seeing something for the last time.

backward glance

Emphasizes the direction of the look, turning back to something.

passing glance

Highlights the brief and transient nature of the look.

FAQs

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

You can use "final glance" to describe a last look at something, often before leaving or before something changes. For example, "She cast a final glance at her childhood home before moving away".

What's a good alternative to "final glance"?

Alternatives include "last look", "parting look", or "concluding look", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "final glance" and "last glance"?

While similar, "final glance" emphasizes the concluding nature of the look, whereas "last glance" simply indicates it's the most recent look before a change or departure. The terms are often interchangeable but "final" might suggest more definitiveness.

What does it mean to take a "final glance"?

To take a "final glance" means to look at something one last time, usually with a sense of completion or farewell. It often suggests that the viewer is aware this is their last opportunity to see whatever they are looking at.