had a quick look at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had a quick look at" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a situation where someone glanced quickly at something or someone, such as, "I had a quick look at the new computer monitor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

8.35am: I've had a quick look at the papers.

The Guardian

Had a quick look at some of the online levels and they looked excellent as well.

The Guardian - Tech

Just to make sure that it's not just me being humourless, I had a quick look at the comments underneath the video on YouTube.

The Guardian - Music

We also had a quick look at the rock climbing, which has you putting your hands over key grip points to progress up a nicely detailed rock face.

The Guardian - Tech

I had a quick look at the PlayTouch at a Kodak event a month ago, and the touch interface and menu controls are very intuitive and add a lot of appeal to the camera.

The New York Times

Former NBA coach Neal Meyer, who spent 16 years in the league with six different teams and now works to grow the league in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, had a quick look at both teams.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

2.07pm BST We've just been having a quick look at the red tops' Glastonbury coverage.

The Guardian - Music

"You can have a quick look at my pictures if you want," he says.

The Guardian - Sport

Before we take a listen to this beauty from 1974, let's have a quick look at the cover.

The Guardian - Music

Many people say that they use the home button to have a quick look at the phone's lock screen, so that they can tell the time or look at their notifications.

Independent

Make sure you get a quote first as most accountants will be able to have a quick look at your books and know roughly how long it will take them to complete your self-assessment.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had a quick look at", ensure the context clarifies what was being looked at and why. This provides clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "had a quick look at" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and formal alternatives like "briefly examined" or "conducted a preliminary review".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had a quick look at" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. Based on Ludwig AI, it describes a brief or cursory examination of something. It commonly introduces a summary or overview of an item or topic.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had a quick look at" is a common idiomatic expression used to describe a brief examination or review. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use, particularly in news and media contexts. While suitable for neutral to informal settings, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives in academic or professional writing. Remember to clarify the context when using the phrase to avoid ambiguity. Common alternatives include "glanced at", "skimmed through", and "browsed", offering varying degrees of similarity in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

took a glimpse at

Emphasizes the brevity and fleeting nature of the look.

glanced at

Implies an even briefer look, often almost accidental.

skimmed through

Suggests reading something quickly, focusing on main points.

checked out

A more informal way to say you looked at something, often used for items or places.

browsed

Implies a casual and less focused examination.

ran through

Implies a fast and efficient review, often of data or information.

cast an eye over

More formal and implies a critical assessment.

perused

Suggests reading carefully, but still relatively quickly.

inspected briefly

Highlights the act of examining carefully, but in short amount of time.

surveyed quickly

Focuses on the method of looking at it, which involves a rapid overview of a larger area.

FAQs

What does "had a quick look at" mean?

The phrase "had a quick look at" means to examine something briefly or casually. It implies a superficial inspection rather than a thorough analysis.

How can I use "had a quick look at" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe reviewing something rapidly, like "I "had a quick look at" the report before the meeting".

What can I say instead of "had a quick look at"?

You can use alternatives like "glanced at", "skimmed through", or "browsed" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "had a quick look at"?

It's appropriate in informal or neutral contexts when you want to convey that you examined something briefly, but less suitable for formal or academic writing.