have a glimpse

USAGE SUMMARY

'have a glimpse' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to invite someone to look at or experience something briefly. Example sentence: "Come have a glimpse of the new exhibit at the museum."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To have a glimpse of the future, it is necessary to look at the past.

Independent

Weak but convalescent, they should at least have a glimpse of recovery.

The Economist

On Friday I went to NBC to have a glimpse of the Munchkins.

The New Yorker

We have a glimpse at the history of automatic control and a detailed study of its status quo as well.

Introduction to Linear Control Systems

It was similar to the first, except that consumers could have a glimpse at Amazon.

The New York Times

It's incredibly rewarding to have a glimpse into so many people's lives.

The Guardian

Wouldn't he try to get into another show so she could have a glimpse of him?

The New Yorker

But through these images, I now have a glimpse of a man who should have been my father.

The New York Times

In the next several decades, we will have a glimpse of whether something similar can emerge on planet Earth.

The New York Times - Science

So we just have a glimpse into a brief moment in time; not a thorough analysis of dinosaur behavior.

University of California, Berkeley

People would go to the reading room just to have a glimpse of the famous man at his ordinary weekday duties: beaky-faced, making small, abrupt, nervous movements.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have a glimpse" when you want to convey the idea of a brief or fleeting look at something. It suggests a quick and often incomplete view.

Common error

Avoid using "have a glimpse" when you actually mean to describe a detailed analysis or thorough observation. "Glimpse" implies a brief, often incomplete look, not an in-depth study.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have a glimpse" functions as a verb phrase, where "have" is the main verb and "a glimpse" is the object. It expresses the action of briefly looking at or experiencing something. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

18%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have a glimpse" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that means to take a brief look or experience something quickly. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is commonly found in news articles, scientific publications, and academic texts, indicating its versatility across different writing styles. While semantically similar alternatives like "get a glimpse" or "catch a glimpse" exist, it's essential to choose the one that best fits the specific context and desired nuance. Avoid using the phrase when a thorough examination is intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get a glimpse

Uses 'get' instead of 'have', implying the act of obtaining a brief look.

get a brief look

Similar to 'get a glimpse' but more explicit about the brevity.

catch a glimpse

Emphasizes the fleeting nature of the viewing experience.

have a quick look

Replaces 'glimpse' with a more general term for looking.

take a peek

Suggests a quick and informal look.

steal a glance

Implies a surreptitious or quick look.

see for a moment

Emphasizes the limited duration of the visual experience.

glance at

A more concise way of expressing a brief look.

observe briefly

Uses a more formal verb to describe a short observation.

witness momentarily

Focuses on witnessing something for a short period.

FAQs

How can I use "have a glimpse" in a sentence?

You can use "have a glimpse" to describe a brief look or a quick experience. For example, "I went to NBC to "have a glimpse" of the Munchkins".

What's a more formal way to say "have a glimpse"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "observe briefly" or "witness momentarily" as alternatives to ""have a glimpse"".

What can I say instead of "have a glimpse" to emphasize speed?

If you want to emphasize the speed of the look, you could use phrases like "steal a glance" or "catch a glimpse".

Is "have a glimpse at" the same as "have a glimpse of"?

"Have a glimpse at" and "have a glimpse of" are often used interchangeably, but "have a glimpse of" is more common. Both suggest a brief look, but pay attention to the preposition that best fits the context.