glanced around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "glanced around" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing someone quickly looking in different directions, often to observe their surroundings or check for something or someone. Example: "She paused for a moment and glanced around the room, searching for a familiar face."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

Mirren glanced around, looking a bit bored.

The New Yorker

Goodwin glanced around at the busy office.

The New Yorker

He paused and glanced around at his scantily dressed colleagues.

The New York Times

Stockdale glanced around, looking for an appropriate weapon.

The New York Times

The noise startled the diminutive Kurosu, who glanced around, looking for the nearest Briton.

The New York Times - Sports

Some of the girls glanced around, trying to guess the author of the note.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Just glance around at some nearby feet.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

THURBER (glancing around, though almost blind): Big party.

The New Yorker

"It hasn't happened yet," he said, glancing around wearily.

The New York Times

But glancing around at the festivities and the fan support, he felt renewed confidence.

The New York Times - Sports

Glancing around, I realized that I was analyzing papal dogma with a roomful of Jews.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "glanced around" to vividly depict a character's quick assessment of their surroundings, adding a sense of alertness or unease to your narrative.

Common error

Avoid repeatedly using "glanced around" in scenes with a lot of dialogue. Vary your descriptions of character actions to prevent the narrative from becoming monotonous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "glanced around" functions as an intransitive verb phrase indicating a quick, sweeping visual survey of the surrounding area. As Ludwig AI underlines, its examples showcase its use in conveying a character's state of awareness or searching for something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "glanced around" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that describes a quick visual survey of one's surroundings. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is often used to convey a sense of observation, awareness, or unease. While it's appropriate for various contexts, it appears most frequently in news and media. For more formal situations, alternatives like "surveyed the area" or "scanned the vicinity" may be considered. When writing, be mindful of overuse, especially in dialogue-heavy scenes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Looked around quickly

Adds the adverb 'quickly' to the verb 'looked' to match the speed with which someone "glances".

Looked about

Focuses on the action of looking, but is more general and lacks the quickness implied by "glanced".

Scanned the vicinity

Emphasizes a systematic and often hurried examination of the nearby space.

Took a look around

A more casual way of saying "glanced around", implying a less urgent observation.

Surveyed the area

Suggests a more thorough and deliberate observation of the surroundings.

Cast a glance

Uses 'glance' as a noun, referring to the act of looking briefly.

Peered around

Suggests looking with difficulty or caution, often implying something is obstructing the view.

Eyed the surroundings

Implies a more watchful or suspicious way of looking around.

Checked the area

Focuses on the intention of verifying the state of the location.

Viewed the scene

Suggests a more passive observation, without necessarily implying a quick or sweeping look.

FAQs

How can I use "glanced around" in a sentence?

You can use "glanced around" to describe a quick look at one's surroundings, for example, "He "glanced around" the room, searching for an exit."

What's a more formal alternative to "glanced around"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "surveyed the area" or "scanned the vicinity" instead of "glanced around".

What does it mean when someone "glanced around" nervously?

When someone "glanced around" nervously, it typically indicates anxiety, unease, or suspicion about their surroundings.

Is there a difference between "looked around" and "glanced around"?

"Looked around" implies a more general observation, while "glanced around" suggests a quicker, less thorough look. You can use "looked around" when the observation is casual, and reserve "glanced around" for when the observation is quicker or more furtive.