flipping through

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "flipping through" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is usually used to describe quickly looking through something, such as when you are flipping through the pages of a book. For example, "I was flipping through an old book when I stumbled upon an interesting article."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Rotaru started flipping through Violeta's file.

The New Yorker

It's like flipping through a magazine.

The New York Times

Flipping through the channels restlessly.

The New Yorker

"Flipping through programmes," says Reynolds.

The Guardian

Flipping through the cookbook again, I noticed other, minor flaws.

The New Yorker

I'm the guy in the waiting room flipping through People.

The New York Times - Books

"A revolver?" Dr. Raeburn said, flipping through a manila folder.

The New Yorker

DuRon nodded respectfully, flipping through the folio to "Coriolanus".

The New Yorker

In fact it's a bit like flipping through Tatler.

Independent

"Flipping through the channel is not enough," she said.

The New York Times

He asked Diederich about Greene while flipping through the letters.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "flipping through" when you want to convey a quick, casual, and often unfocused way of looking at something. For instance, "She was flipping through channels on TV, unable to find anything interesting."

Common error

Avoid using "flipping through" in formal or academic writing where a more thorough and detailed examination is expected. Instead, opt for phrases like 'reviewing' or 'examining'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "flipping through" functions as a prepositional phrase often used to modify a verb, indicating the manner in which an action is performed. It describes the act of quickly looking at something, as seen in Ludwig examples like "flipping through channels" or "flipping through the pages of a book".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "flipping through" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to describe the action of quickly browsing or scanning something. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is correct and versatile, appearing most frequently in news and media contexts. While it's generally suitable for neutral and informal settings, remember to choose more precise language in formal or academic writing. With numerous alternatives like "skimming through" or "browsing through", you can always find the perfect fit for your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

flicking through

Similar to "flipping through", suggesting a quick and casual look.

browsing through

Focuses on a more general act of looking at various items, often without a specific goal.

skimming through

Implies reading quickly, focusing on main points rather than details.

leafing through

Specifically refers to turning pages, often in a book or magazine.

glancing through

Suggests a quick, superficial look.

scanning through

Involves quickly looking for specific information.

perusing

Implies reading or examining something carefully or at length but can also suggest casual browsing.

thumbing through

Similar to leafing, but emphasizes using the thumb to turn pages.

running through

Suggests a rapid review or rehearsal.

riffling through

Emphasizes the rapid movement of pages or items.

FAQs

How can I use "flipping through" in a sentence?

You can use "flipping through" to describe quickly looking at pages, channels, or digital content, as in "I was flipping through a magazine" or "He was flipping through TV channels."

What are some alternatives to "flipping through"?

Alternatives include "browsing through", "skimming through", or "leafing through", depending on the context.

Is "flipping through" appropriate for formal writing?

"Flipping through" is generally considered informal. For formal writing, consider using more precise terms like "reviewing" or "examining".

What's the difference between "flipping through" and "reading carefully"?

"Flipping through" implies a quick, casual look, while "reading carefully" suggests a thorough and attentive examination of the material.