glance over

USAGE SUMMARY

"glance over" is a perfectly acceptable phrase to use in written English.
It is often used to refer to quickly scanning a piece of text, document, or scene. For example, "She glanced over the document before submitting it."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Second, resist the common tendency to merely glance over deal documents and file them away.

Harvard University

Resist the common tendency to merely glance over deal documents and file them away.

Harvard University

I glance over at a bemedaled man, also in white, wearing a bonnet on his head.

Forbes

Why did she glance over and grin?

WikiHow

I shot a glance over my shoulder.

The New York Times

She gave him a glance over the steering wheel.

The New Yorker

Ms. Lawless shot a worried glance over her shoulder.

The New York Times

He shot a glance, over his spectacles, toward an aide.

The New Yorker

I glance over at him in the darkness.

The New Yorker

The other elk around them barely even glance over.

The Washington Post

As the ribs cooked, I noticed my neighbor glance over from his yard.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "glance over" when you want to convey that something was reviewed quickly but not in detail. It's appropriate for situations where a thorough examination isn't necessary or possible due to time constraints.

Common error

Avoid using "glance over" when you mean to convey a thorough or in-depth review. Using "glance over" incorrectly can undermine the importance of the task.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "glance over" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating a quick and superficial examination or review. As Ludwig examples show, it is used to describe actions such as quickly inspecting documents or looking briefly at something.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "glance over" is a phrasal verb used to describe a quick and superficial examination or review. Ludwig AI and real-world examples confirm its grammatical correctness and usage across various contexts, including news, academia, and general writing. Although it is acceptable, it is important to use "glance over" to mean a quick look rather than a thorough review, and alternatives like "skim through" or "look over" can be used for a similar meaning. Predominantly found in news and academic sources, it has a neutral register and is suitable for various communication scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

look over

Similar to "glance over" but can imply a slightly more thorough review.

skim through

Emphasizes reading quickly and superficially, omitting some details.

scan through

Focuses on reading rapidly to extract key information, less about a brief look.

give a once-over

Suggests a quick, often superficial, examination.

flick through

Suggests turning pages quickly, often in a book or magazine.

cast an eye over

More figurative and suggests a brief, evaluative look.

run through

Suggests a rapid review or rehearsal of something.

check out

Implies a casual inspection, often to form an opinion.

browse through

Indicates a leisurely, less focused form of examination.

dip into

Implies reading small portions of a text, not necessarily in order.

FAQs

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

You can use "glance over" to indicate a quick and cursory review, as in "I only had time to glance over the report before the meeting."

What is a good alternative to "glance over"?

Alternatives include "skim through", "scan through", or "look over", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

What's the difference between "glance over" and "study carefully"?

"Glance over" implies a brief and not very detailed review, while "study carefully" means to examine something thoroughly and attentively.

When should I use "glance over" versus "read carefully"?

Use "glance over" when time is limited or the document isn't critical; use "read carefully" when detail and comprehension are essential.