glance at the topic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "glance at the topic" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when suggesting someone take a quick look or review a subject or issue without going into detail. Example: "Before we dive into the discussion, I suggest you take a moment to glance at the topic outlined in the agenda."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Just a glance at the wealth of topics relating to peace, human rights and civil society in our 850 entries (far from "nebulous" or "boring"), or the critical discussions of "ethology", suggests the complexity and range.

The Guardian - Opinion

In that sense, it is a first glance at the applications of the new data-sets to this topic and provides pointers to more detailed analyses.

Advances in Space Research

I glance at the clock.

The New York Times

You glance at the offending passages.

The New Yorker

One glance at the ballot explained why.

The New York Times

I glance at the guide.

The Guardian - Travel

Another glance at the window.

The Guardian - Film

Others glance at the transcripts.

The New York Times

You glance at the clock.

The Guardian

A glance at the watch.

BBC

Yes? No?" A glance at the compere.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "glance at the topic" when you want to suggest a quick and superficial review, suitable when time is limited or a detailed analysis is not required.

Common error

Avoid using "glance at the topic" when a comprehensive understanding is needed. It implies a superficial look, which may not be appropriate for in-depth discussions or critical decisions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "glance at the topic" functions primarily as a directive, suggesting a brief review or initial familiarization with a subject. Given the absence of examples in Ludwig, it serves as a general invitation to take a quick look.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "glance at the topic" suggests a quick, superficial review of a subject. It's grammatically correct and functions as a directive to encourage a preliminary understanding. While there are no direct examples in Ludwig, related alternatives include "take a quick look at the subject" and "briefly examine the issue". Use it when a detailed analysis is not required and be mindful of the formality of the context. In formal settings, consider a more precise term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take a quick look at the subject

Replaces "glance" with "take a look", emphasizing the brevity and speed of the review.

briefly examine the issue

Substitutes "glance" with "briefly examine", making it slightly more formal.

scan the matter

Uses "scan" instead of "glance", implying a rapid overview.

review the theme quickly

Emphasizes speed by adding "quickly" and replacing "glance" with "review".

peruse the subject matter

Replaces "glance" with "peruse", which suggests a more detailed but still relatively quick look.

skim through the material

Uses "skim" instead of "glance", focusing on extracting key information rapidly.

run through the topic

Implies a fast, comprehensive overview.

touch on the theme

Suggests mentioning the topic briefly without deep analysis.

acquaint yourself with the topic

Implies a first introduction and familiarization with the topic.

get a feel for the topic

Indicates gaining a basic understanding or impression of the subject.

FAQs

What does "glance at the topic" mean?

It means to take a quick or brief look at a particular subject or issue, without going into great detail.

How can I use "glance at the topic" in a sentence?

You might say, "Before the meeting, please "glance at the topic" so you have a general idea of what we'll be discussing."

What's a more formal way to say "glance at the topic"?

A more formal alternative could be "briefly examine the issue" or "review the theme quickly".

Is it appropriate to use "glance at the topic" in academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "glance at the topic" might be too informal for academic writing. Consider using a more precise term like "briefly examine the issue" or "scan the matter" to maintain a formal tone.