gazing forward

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gazing forward" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of looking ahead, either literally or metaphorically, often in a context of anticipation or planning. Example: "As she stood on the cliff, gazing forward, she felt a sense of hope for the future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Chaturanga (hovering inches above your mat in a low plank) mirrored popping up on the board, while gazing forward and aligning our hands and feet helped our balance.

Independent

I want a poem to contain as much of time as I can possibly wrap my arms around — flashing back, gazing forward, while trying, too, to ground the poem in some actual present.

The New Yorker

The early twilight glow that illuminates many scenes evokes the consciousness of an older man with an uncertain future sadly gazing forward, although Mr. Castaneda looks a little too young for his character (late 50s rather than 10 years older).

The New York Times

Gazing forward, it's perfectly possible that the band – restless in their experimentation (demonstrated by shows such as their staging of Coleridge's Rime of the Ancient Mariner at the South Bank Centre in London, where also they have been artists-in-residence) – will delve into styles new to them, but not necessarily to the UK: calypso, for example.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Instead, every bird kept gazing forwards in exactly the same direction (due magnetic north or south), during all four phases of a landing: approaching with wings up; approaching with wings down to act as air-brakes; gearing (ornithologist-speak for popping out their landing gear, ie, their feet); and touchdown.

The Economist

The heads with exposed glassy eyes gaze forward with intense purpose.

The New York Times - Arts

One passage is set to Debussy's "Nuages"; all six dancers gaze forward in a tableau; then, as a new woodwind chord sounds, the women, seated, turn their heads in profile while the men look down at them.

The New York Times - Arts

The down-and-leather pillow behind my head gently cushions my skull, and I gaze forward through narrowed eyes, nearly asleep now in the whisper-quiet cabin.

Forbes

In conjunction with this behavioral finding, the FG responded with the greatest activation to face and gaze forward, perhaps reflecting the unambiguous social salience of congruent face and gaze directed toward the viewer.

NeuroImage

Manager Brendan Rodgers will seek satisfaction in those statistics - but of greater significance is that this evolving Liverpool team will feel they can gaze forward rather than back in the closing phases of the Premier League season.

BBC

I gaze forward with excitement at the possibilities the future holds.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gazing forward" to add a sense of contemplation or anticipation to the act of looking ahead, especially in contexts involving reflection or planning.

Common error

While "gazing forward" can be evocative, avoid using it in overly technical or scientific writing where a more direct term like "observing" or "predicting" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gazing forward" functions primarily as a verb phrase, often used in participial form (gerund) to describe the act of looking or directing one's attention towards the future or a distant point. This is confirmed by Ludwig, which identifies it as grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gazing forward" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to describe the act of looking ahead, both literally and metaphorically. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a versatile phrase that adds a layer of contemplation or anticipation to the simple act of looking. While appropriate for various contexts, it is especially well-suited for news, media, and general writing. However, in more technical writing, more direct terms might be preferred. Consider alternative phrases like "looking ahead" or "visualizing the future" to fine-tune the nuance of your writing. As with any descriptive phrase, context is key in ensuring its most effective use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

looking ahead

Focuses on the act of anticipating future events or possibilities.

staring ahead

Implies a more fixed and intense gaze into the future.

visualizing the future

Highlights the mental imagery aspect of considering what is to come.

contemplating the future

Suggests a more thoughtful and reflective consideration of future events.

envisioning what's next

Emphasizes the act of imagining or forming a mental picture of future possibilities.

anticipating the future

Focuses on expecting or predicting future events.

expecting what's to come

Highlights the anticipation of future events or outcomes.

projecting into the future

Implies extending current trends or ideas into the future.

considering future prospects

Focuses on evaluating potential opportunities or outcomes in the future.

planning for what's ahead

Emphasizes the preparation and strategizing for future events.

FAQs

How can I use "gazing forward" in a sentence?

You can use "gazing forward" to describe both physical and metaphorical acts of looking ahead. For example, "She stood on the mountain, gazing forward at the valley below" or "The company is gazing forward to a year of expansion".

What phrases are similar to "gazing forward"?

You can use alternatives like "looking ahead", "staring ahead", or "visualizing the future" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "gazing forward" and "looking forward"?

"Gazing forward" often implies a longer, more contemplative look, while "looking forward" can simply mean anticipating something with pleasure. For example, you might "look forward to" a vacation, but be "gazing forward" when thinking about your long-term career goals.

Is "gazing forward" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "gazing forward" can be used in formal writing, particularly when you want to convey a sense of vision or anticipation. However, in highly technical contexts, more precise terms might be preferred.