i looked through

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I looked through" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the action of examining or searching through something, such as documents, books, or a collection of items. Example: "I looked through the old photo album to find pictures from our family vacation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I looked through Dodd-Frank.

Yale University

I looked through the spy-hole.

The New Yorker

I looked through some guest histories.

The New York Times - Style

I looked through it quickly and put it aside.

The New York Times

So I looked through some catalogues and ordered one.

The New Yorker

With Trump, I looked through just a ton of photographs.

The Washington Post

"I looked through them and said; 'Oh hell'".

The Guardian

I looked through the rest of my inventory.

The New Yorker

As I looked through the photos again, I pointed out others I thought would be better.

The New York Times

As I looked through the magazine, I was surprised at Deborah Needleman's choices.

The New York Times

I looked through it and saw a man walking in a room very similar to mine.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I looked through" when you want to convey a sense of searching or examining something, whether physically or digitally. It's appropriate for a wide range of contexts from informal to professional.

Common error

In formal or scientific writing, consider more precise verbs such as "examined", "reviewed", or "analyzed" to convey a higher degree of scrutiny and professionalism. Avoid using "I looked through" in these contexts as it may appear too casual.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I looked through" functions as a verb phrase, where 'looked through' is a phrasal verb. It describes the action of examining something, often with the intention of finding something specific. Ludwig shows its broad applicability in various sentences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

5%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I looked through" is a versatile and commonly used phrasal verb that describes the act of examining or searching. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and applicability in a variety of contexts, ranging from news articles to personal narratives. While generally neutral in tone, more formal alternatives such as "examined" or "reviewed" may be preferred in academic or professional settings. The prevalence of "I looked through" in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its widespread acceptance and utility in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I examined

Focuses on a more careful and detailed inspection.

I reviewed

Suggests a formal or official inspection.

I inspected

Implies a close and critical examination.

I sifted through

Suggests carefully filtering or sorting to find something specific.

I scanned

Indicates a quick or superficial examination.

I checked

Suggests a verification or confirmation.

I went over

Means reviewing something, often for the purpose of teaching or correcting.

I browsed

Suggests a casual look through something, like a catalog or a website.

I perused

Implies a casual or leisurely reading.

I studied

Focuses on a dedicated learning process to understand something.

FAQs

What does "I looked through" mean?

The phrase "I looked through" means that someone has examined or searched something, such as a collection of documents, images, or items, often with the intent of finding something specific.

What can I say instead of "I looked through"?

You can use alternatives like "I examined", "I reviewed", or "I inspected" depending on the context. These alternatives offer a more formal or specific tone.

How do I use "I looked through" in a sentence?

You can use "I looked through" followed by the object you examined. For example, "I looked through the files" or "I looked through the window".

Is "I looked through" formal or informal?

"I looked through" is generally considered neutral in tone and appropriate for both informal and semi-formal contexts. However, in highly formal or academic writing, more precise alternatives like "I analyzed" or "I investigated" might be preferable.