having a quick look

USAGE SUMMARY

"Having a quick look" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used when discussing taking a brief glance at something, such as a document. For example: "I'm having a quick look at the report before I submit it to my supervisor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Like, 'Just having a quick look.' " "There's no law against it," Cipollone added.

The New York Times - Sports

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

The Guardian - Music

I've just been having a quick look through the ones we printed out an filed at the time.

The Guardian

"It's always worth getting outside and having a quick look - you never know you might be lucky there might be a break develop.

Independent

Updated at 5.18am GMT 4.41am GMT 18th over: Australia 58-3 (Marsh 35, Bailey 4) Ooh, Umpire Simon Fry has been having a quick look at the ball over the last couple of overs.

The Guardian - Sport

It may also be worth having a quick look at the Second Division table with all three matches in the current round now completed, after Gloucestershire, Middlesex and the leaders Northamptonshire completed victories yesterday.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

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

The Guardian

What did they do exactly — just have a quick look?

The Guardian

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

The Guardian - Tech

"Could I just have a quick look in the office?" she says.

The Guardian - Books

Storey had a quick look, a brief think, and stood up on the pedals.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, use "having a quick look" to indicate a preliminary assessment before a more thorough investigation is conducted.

Common error

Avoid using "having a quick look" in formal reports or academic papers. Opt for more formal alternatives like "conducting a preliminary review" or "undertaking a brief assessment" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "having a quick look" functions as an idiomatic expression used to describe the act of briefly examining or inspecting something. It usually implies a cursory or non-thorough review. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

29%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

14%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "having a quick look" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a brief examination or review. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for general use. It's most common in news, media, and science contexts, though its neutral to informal register makes it less appropriate for highly formal writing. For more formal situations, consider alternatives like "conducting a preliminary review". Remember to use "having a quick look" to convey the idea of a brief assessment or examination, and avoid overusing it in contexts that require a more professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

glancing briefly

Combines the idea of a quick and short look.

taking a brief glance

Emphasizes the brevity of the action.

doing a quick scan

Focuses on rapidly surveying something.

reviewing swiftly

Suggests a fast and efficient overview.

giving a cursory examination

Highlights the superficial nature of the review.

inspecting momentarily

Highlights a short period of detailed examination.

casting a fleeting eye

Implies a very short and almost accidental observation.

skimming through quickly

Indicates a fast reading or review, focusing on main points.

peeking rapidly

Suggests a furtive or secretive quick look.

flipping through expeditiously

Emphasizes the speed and ease of browsing.

FAQs

How can I use "having a quick look" in a sentence?

You can use "having a quick look" to describe briefly examining something, as in "I'm /s/having+a+quick+look at the report before the meeting".

What is a more formal alternative to "having a quick look"?

For formal contexts, consider alternatives like "conducting a preliminary review" or "undertaking a brief assessment" instead of /s/having+a+quick+look.

Is "having a quick look" grammatically correct?

Yes, "having a quick look" is grammatically correct and commonly used in everyday English.

When is it appropriate to use "having a quick look"?

"Having a quick look" is suitable for informal settings or when describing a brief, non-detailed examination. Use it when you're /s/taking+a+brief+glance or /s/doing+a+quick+scan.