glanced at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "glanced at" 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 the clock and realized she was running late."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I glanced at her.

The New York Times

He glanced at Pacquiao.

The New Yorker

Sasha glanced at Alex.

The New Yorker

He glanced at a card.

The New Yorker

I glanced at the form.

The New York Times

He glanced at his watch.

The New Yorker

Candy glanced at her watch.

The New Yorker

Ira glanced at his watch.

The New Yorker

Gore glanced at Chris Lehane.

The New Yorker

He glanced at the door.

The New Yorker

He glanced at the clock.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "glanced at" to indicate a quick, often surreptitious, look. It's suitable when you want to imply that the look was brief and not necessarily thorough.

Common error

Avoid using "glanced at" when you actually mean someone stared or looked intently. "Glanced at" implies a brief look, whereas staring suggests prolonged attention.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "glanced at" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a quick or brief look in a specific direction. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct. Examples from Ludwig show it used to describe looking at objects like watches or people.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "glanced at" is a grammatically correct and very common verb phrase used to describe a quick, often casual look. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. When writing, remember that "glanced at" implies a brief, unfocused look, and it shouldn't be confused with terms like "stared at", which suggest prolonged attention. To add variety to your writing, consider using alternatives like "took a glimpse at" or "cast a glance at".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Took a glimpse at

Replaces "glanced" with "took a glimpse", emphasizing a fleeting look.

Cast a glance at

Uses "cast a glance" instead of "glanced", providing a slightly more formal tone.

Looked briefly at

Explicitly states the brevity of the look.

Caught a glimpse of

Highlights the fleeting nature of the visual encounter.

Peered at

Implies a closer or more intent look than a simple glance.

Eyed briefly

A more concise and slightly less common way to say "glanced".

Checked out

More casual, suggesting a quick inspection or observation.

Looked over

Suggests a more comprehensive but still quick examination.

Noticed quickly

Focuses on the act of noticing rather than the action of looking.

Scanned briefly

Implies a wider field of vision or a search while looking.

FAQs

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

The phrase "glanced at" is used to describe a quick look. For example, "She "glanced at" her watch to check the time".

What are some alternatives to using "glanced at"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "took a glimpse at", "cast a glance at", or "looked briefly at".

Is there a difference between "glanced at" and "stared at"?

"Glanced at" means to take a quick look, while "stared at" implies a prolonged, intent gaze. They are not interchangeable.

When is it appropriate to use "glanced at" in writing?

Use "glanced at" when you want to convey that someone gave something or someone a brief, often cursory, look without focusing intently. It's ideal for describing subtle actions or quick observations.