glanced over

USAGE SUMMARY

"glanced over" is a valid and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something was looked at quickly or superficially. For example: "He glanced over the newspaper, not reading any of the articles."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Stanton glanced over anxiously.

The New Yorker

ME: And I glanced over at him.

The New Yorker

Hicks glanced over, as he always did.

The Washington Post

He glanced over, frowned, and decided to forgo an explanation.

The New Yorker

I glanced over at him as the woman departed.

The New York Times - Arts

The men glanced over and smiled, catching the drift.

The New Yorker

He glanced over, looking unthreatened and perhaps a bit bemused.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing something in more detail, avoid "glanced over"; choose a more descriptive verb to convey a thorough observation.

Common error

Don't use "glanced over" when you mean "glanced through". "Glanced over" implies a quick look at something, while "glanced through" suggests a quick reading or review of something like a document.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "glanced over" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating a quick or brief look. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes the act of looking at something quickly or superficially. The examples show its use in various contexts, from glancing at a person to glancing at an object.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

13%

Academia

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "glanced over" is a common phrasal verb used to describe a quick or brief look. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage in English writing. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts and carries a neutral tone. Remember to use "glanced over" when you mean a quick look at something, and differentiate it from "glanced through", which implies a quick review. Use alternatives like "briefly looked" or "gave a quick look" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Avoid using it when a more detailed observation is intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

briefly looked

Focuses on the brevity of the action, emphasizing the short duration of the look.

gave a quick look

Emphasizes the speed and lack of attention in the act of looking.

peeked at

Suggests a furtive or sneaky look, often implying curiosity or mischief.

took a glimpse

Highlights the fleeting nature of the look, suggesting a brief and incomplete view.

cast a glance

Implies a more deliberate, though still quick, look in a specific direction.

skimmed through

Indicates a rapid and superficial examination of written material.

ran through

Similar to skimming, but implies even less attention to detail.

scanned

Suggests a systematic and rapid survey of something, often looking for something specific.

browsed

Implies a casual and leisurely look, often without a specific purpose.

inspected briefly

Suggests a very short examination of something in order to check its quality or condition.

FAQs

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

You can use "glanced over" to describe a quick, often unintentional look. For example, "He "glanced over" his shoulder to see who was behind him."

What is a good alternative to "glanced over"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "glanced over" include "briefly looked", "gave a quick look", or "cast a glance".

What's the difference between "glanced over" and "glanced through"?

"Glanced over" implies a quick look at something, while "glanced through" means a quick reading or review. For instance, you might "glance over" a room, but "glance through" a magazine.

Is it ever incorrect to use "glanced over"?

Yes, it's incorrect if you intend to describe a more thorough observation. Also, avoid using "glanced over" when you mean to say "glanced through", which implies a quick perusal or review of something.