i glanced at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I glanced at" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a quick or casual look at something without focusing on it for a long time. Example: "As I walked by the window, I glanced at the beautiful sunset."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I glanced at her.

The New York Times

I glanced at the form.

The New York Times

I glanced at the map.

The New York Times

I glanced at Armando's wrist.

The New Yorker

I glanced at the book.

The New York Times - Magazine

I glanced at my watch.

Forbes

I glanced at Alecia.

The New York Times - Magazine

I glanced at Shea.

The New York Times - Magazine

I glanced at Lynne.

The New York Times - Travel

I glanced at Janice, sitting beside me.

The New Yorker

I glanced at Tom and he nodded.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I glanced at" to describe a quick, casual look, especially when you want to indicate you didn't focus intently on the object.

Common error

Avoid using "I glanced at" when you're providing a detailed description of something. It suggests a lack of focus, which is contradictory to careful observation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I glanced at" functions as a verb phrase indicating a quick, unfocused act of looking. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a standard expression. The examples in Ludwig demonstrate its use in narrating observations, such as "I glanced at the clock" or "I glanced at my watch."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I glanced at" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a quick or brief look. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media. While its register is neutral, it is best used to indicate a fleeting observation rather than a detailed inspection. Alternatives like "I took a quick look at" or "I briefly looked at" can be used for similar effect. It's important to avoid overusing "I glanced at" in situations requiring detailed descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

i briefly looked at

Replaces "glanced" with a more direct synonym, maintaining simplicity.

i took a quick look at

Replaces "glanced" with a more explicit description of the action, emphasizing the brevity of the look.

i cast a brief look at

Uses "cast" to suggest a fleeting look, maintaining the casual nature of the original phrase.

i gave a fleeting glance to

Rephrases the action with "gave a glance", emphasizing the momentary nature of the look.

i peeked at

Implies a furtive or quick look, often when trying not to be noticed.

i stole a glance at

Implies a surreptitious look, often done quickly to avoid detection.

i had a glimpse of

Suggests a partial or incomplete view, similar to a quick glance.

i checked out

Offers a more casual and modern alternative, suitable for informal contexts.

my eyes fell upon

Provides a more literary or descriptive way of saying the same thing.

i noted quickly

Focuses on the act of noticing something, with the speed being the key factor.

FAQs

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

Use "I glanced at" to describe a quick, brief look at something. For example, "I glanced at the clock and realized I was late."

What can I say instead of "I glanced at"?

You can use alternatives like "I took a quick look at", "I briefly looked at", or "I cast a brief look at" depending on the context.

Is "I glanced at" formal or informal?

"I glanced at" is generally considered neutral in formality and can be used in both informal and formal contexts.

What does it imply when someone says "I glanced at" something?

It implies that the person took a quick, often casual, look at something without focusing on it intently or for a long duration.