gave a look

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gave a look" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the action of someone looking at something or someone, usually with a specific, unspoken meaning. For example, "When he heard the news, Jack gave a look of surprise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Ms. Williams gave a look: oh no, honey.

The New York Times - Arts

He gave a look that combined tranquillity with a "go ahead and ask for it" defiance.

The New York Times

It is the first time the ratings agency, which usually sticks to private industry, gave a look at local governments.

The New York Times

Sanders gave a look suggesting that Cooper had just asked him to put on a black-silk top hat and play the Monopoly man.

The New Yorker

Mummy Melissa (43) prefers the likes of nonograms and hidden object games and gave a look of disdain when asked to join in the jollity.

The Guardian - Tech

He did not reply, but gave a look out of the corner of his eye that said, suspiciously, What are you getting at?

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Give a look.

The New York Times

Given a look direction, the directive response is obtained for all scenarios.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

This will give a look of uneven aging.

WikiHow

He gave a weird look.

The New York Times

She gave a disparaging look.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gave a look" to describe a specific expression or emotion conveyed through someone's eyes, adding depth and nuance to your writing.

Common error

Ensure the context clearly supports the intended emotion behind the look. A vague description can lead readers to misinterpret the character's feelings or intentions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gave a look" functions as a verbal phrase used to describe the action of looking, often conveying a specific emotion or reaction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s a common way to depict non-verbal communication.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Wiki

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gave a look" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe someone's visual reaction or expression. As Ludwig AI points out, it effectively conveys emotions and unspoken communication. It is particularly prevalent in news and media sources, making it suitable for a wide range of writing contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the context supports the intended emotion behind the look to avoid misinterpretations. Consider alternatives like "cast a glance" or "shot a glance" for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cast a glance

Uses "cast" instead of "gave", emphasizing a quick, often sideways look.

shot a glance

Replaces "gave" with "shot", suggesting a very brief and sudden look.

bestowed a look

Substitutes "gave" with "bestowed", indicating a look that is more deliberate and significant.

offered a glance

Replaces "gave" with "offered", which softens the action of looking.

threw a look

Uses "threw" instead of "gave", suggesting a more forceful or dismissive look.

exchanged glances

Focuses on the reciprocal action of two people looking at each other.

directed a gaze

Uses "directed" instead of "gave", and "gaze" instead of "look", implying a longer, more intentional look.

glanced at

Simplifies the phrase by removing "a" and changing "gave" to the verb "glanced".

looked briefly

Replaces the entire phrase with a simpler description of the action.

met someone's eyes

Describes a more direct form of looking, focusing on eye contact.

FAQs

How can I use "gave a look" in a sentence?

You can use "gave a look" to describe someone's expression or reaction, for example, "She "gave a look" of disbelief when she heard the news."

What are some alternatives to "gave a look"?

Some alternatives include "cast a glance", "shot a glance", or "bestowed a look", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "give a look" instead of "gave a look"?

"Give a look" is grammatically correct but is usually used in imperative sentences or instructions. "Gave a look" is used when describing a past action.

What's the difference between "gave a look" and "looked at"?

"Gave a look" implies a specific expression or emotion being conveyed through the eyes, while "looked at" simply means directing one's gaze towards something. For example, "She "gave a look" of annoyance" suggests she expressed annoyance through her eyes, whereas "She looked at the painting" simply means she directed her gaze at the painting.