glide over

USAGE SUMMARY

"glide over" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used in several contexts, but generally refers to a smooth and effortless movement or transition. For example: - "The dancers seemed to effortlessly glide over the stage, their movements fluid and graceful." - "The bird spread its wings and began to glide over the treetops." - "The skater's blades glided over the ice, leaving behind a trail of elegant patterns." - "She decided to quickly glide over the difficult topic and move on to something more positive." - "As she read the passage, her eyes seemed to glide over the words, absorbing the information effortlessly."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It allows the skin to easily glide over deeper structures and extends all over the body [12, 13].

Insights into Imaging

The opening score came on 15 minutes with full-back Stacul taking Thomas Bosc's inside pass to glide over for the first of his two tries.

BBC

He can turn into Bartman, allowing him to use zip-lines, climb certain walls, glide over long distances, and do other acrobatic feats.

Wikipedia

S6 haemocoel sporozoites adhere with one end and display the immature and non-productive motility patterns, but apparently lost their ability to glide over long distances (Fig. 4C).

Cellular Microbiology

Using lotions or oils will help your hands glide over your skin.

WikiHow

The oil should be hot enough to easily glide over the surface of the wok.

WikiHow

Such accusations glide over her.

The Guardian

You can't just glide over the syllables.

The New York Times

But they glide over the words, "requirement to purchase".

The Guardian - Opinion

The aim of the exam was clearly to glide over anything that might seem real.

The New York Times

Le Gallou would need to glide over a long, moderately inclined plateau.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In abstract contexts, use "glide over" to suggest a superficial treatment of a topic, but be mindful of the potential negative connotation of avoiding depth or detail.

Common error

While common, "glide over" can sometimes suggest a lack of thoroughness. In academic or professional contexts, consider more precise verbs like "examine", "analyze", or "address" to convey a deeper engagement with the subject matter.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "glide over" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It describes a smooth and continuous movement across a surface, or figuratively, a superficial treatment of a subject. Ludwig examples confirm usage in both physical and abstract contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

23%

News & Media

45%

Science

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "glide over" is a versatile phrase that describes either a smooth, continuous motion or a superficial treatment of a subject. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. While generally neutral in tone, writers should be mindful of its potential to suggest a lack of depth, especially in formal settings. Consider using more precise alternatives like "examine" or "analyze" when deeper engagement is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

skim over

Implies a very brief or superficial examination or movement.

pass over

Suggests ignoring or overlooking something, or moving beyond it without attention.

smooth over

Indicates an attempt to make something seem less problematic or to resolve difficulties.

gloss over

Refers to treating something quickly and superficially, often to avoid difficult details.

slide over

Suggests a smooth, effortless movement to a different position or topic.

touch upon

Implies briefly mentioning or dealing with a topic.

skim the surface

Highlights a lack of deep engagement or understanding.

move smoothly

Focuses on the ease and grace of the movement.

breeze through

Indicates an easy and quick completion of something.

overlook

Directly means to fail to notice something.

FAQs

How can "glide over" be used in a sentence?

The phrase "glide over" can describe physical movement, like "The skater's blades "glide over" the ice", or a superficial treatment of a subject, like "The report "glides over" the key issues".

What are some alternatives to "glide over"?

Depending on the context, you could use "skim over", "pass over", "smooth over", or "gloss over" as alternatives to "glide over".

When is it appropriate to use "glide over" in writing?

It's appropriate when describing a smooth, continuous motion or when you want to convey that a topic has been treated superficially. Be cautious in formal contexts where depth is expected.

What's the difference between "glide over" and "gloss over"?

"Glide over" can refer to both physical movement and a superficial treatment, while "gloss over" typically implies a deliberate attempt to avoid difficult or problematic details, suggesting a slightly more negative connotation.