glanced

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "glanced" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a quick or brief look at something or someone. Example: "She glanced at her watch, realizing she was late for the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Instead, they glanced furtively at each other in silence.

The Guardian

He asked me if I knew what company I had rung (I quickly glanced down at the results of my "IT company central London" Google search).

The Guardian

It appears that Michael Gove, who is not without intelligence, glanced at the half-cocked, half-proposals that he inherited at the Ministry of Justice, and wisely decided he had better start with a blank sheet and consult.

The Guardian - Opinion

After a cautious start on Tuesday, in which she repeatedly glanced at her notes, Clinton began to look more confident.

The Guardian

Then I glanced at the comments the day after.

The Guardian

I tried it on and while I glanced vaguely at how it fitted me, I was really looking at how gorgeous this coat was, so I bought it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The farmer, the church employee, the insurance salesman – they were accustomed to these outbursts and glanced at each other with smiles in their eyes, waiting for him to return to calm, which reappeared quickly after his wincing defeat.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He glanced back at Nelly's house.

The Guardian - Books

In the meantime there is something to look forward to: when your correspondent last glanced at the enormous clock on the wall of Nathan's Famous hot-dog stand, there were 332 days, 17 hours, 26 minutes and 12.8 seconds until the next July 4th hot-dog eating contest.

The Economist

His jokes, which were frequent, were usually aimed at himself, the institution he served, or both.Narrating a television documentary on the House of Commons last year, he glanced up, on camera, at a mosaic of St Andrew that towers over Central Lobby.

The Economist

Their husbands discussed business and glanced at the play, or at the B-list Bollywood starlets among the crowd.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "glanced" to convey a sense of quick, often subtle, observation. It's effective when you want to show that someone isn't staring or focusing intently.

Common error

Avoid using "glanced" when you mean someone looked intently or for a prolonged period. "Glanced" implies a brief, often casual, look, while "stared" suggests a fixed and focused gaze.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "glanced" is as the past tense of the verb "glance". It describes the action of taking a quick or brief look at something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, "glanced" is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "glanced" is a versatile verb that describes a quick or brief look. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts. When writing, remember that "glanced" implies a brief and often subtle observation, distinct from a prolonged stare. Alternatives like "took a quick look" or "had a glimpse" can provide nuanced variations in meaning. Using "glanced" effectively adds detail and precision to your descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

took a quick look

Emphasizes the speed and brevity of the look.

stole a glance

Suggests the look was secretive or furtive.

cast a fleeting gaze

Uses more formal language to describe a brief look.

caught a glimpse of

Similar to "had a glimpse", but perhaps even more fleeting.

had a glimpse

Focuses on the incomplete or partial nature of the view.

peered briefly

Implies a more intent, though still quick, look.

spotted momentarily

Highlights the sudden and short-lived nature of seeing something.

checked quickly

Emphasizes the act of verifying something with a brief look.

scanned rapidly

Implies a quick and systematic look over something.

briefly surveyed

Suggests a more comprehensive, though still quick, look over an area.

FAQs

How can I use "glanced" in a sentence?

Use "glanced" to describe a quick or brief look. For example, "She "glanced" at her watch, realizing she was late."

What are some alternatives to "glanced"?

You can use alternatives like "took a quick look", "cast a glance", or "had a glimpse" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "glanced at" or "glanced to"?

The correct usage is "glanced at". For example, "He "glanced at" the newspaper."

What's the difference between "glanced" and "stared"?

"Glanced" implies a brief look, while "stared" indicates a prolonged, fixed gaze. "She "glanced" at the clock" suggests a quick check, while "She stared at the clock" suggests she was watching it intently.