in a glance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in a glance" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe someone seeing something quickly or taking in a lot of information in a short amount of time. For example, "She took in the room in a glance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

and all of Ceredigion, Cariad5, in a glance.

The Guardian - Books

His eyes can convey a troubled history in a glance.

The Guardian - Film

What, where and whom: what do we see in a glance of a scene?

Columbia University

He remembered a conversation about the amount of information one can absorb in a glance.

The New Yorker

And yet she's unaware of how much she discloses in a glance, a gesture.

The New Yorker

Too much can happen in a glance away from the action.

The New Yorker

The shape carries a charge of irony: we see it and feel it in a glance.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

As in her novel, Adichie manages to make strong political points in a glancing, matter-of-fact way.

The Guardian - Books

But Olinda provides this in a glance-able, non-intrusive manner.

BBC

Hennessey was called into action when Ji Dong-Won sent in a glancing header.

BBC

Dillashaw throws a big hook that lands in a glancing way.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in a glance" when you want to emphasize how quickly someone can understand or assess a situation. It's particularly effective in descriptive writing or when highlighting efficiency.

Common error

Avoid using "in a glance" when describing a complex analysis that requires detailed examination. This phrase is best suited for scenarios where understanding is immediate and straightforward.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a glance" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe how something is perceived or understood. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

20%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in a glance" is a versatile and commonly used expression to convey the idea of quick comprehension or assessment. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability. As evidenced by the numerous examples, it's frequently found in news articles, academic papers, and various other forms of writing. While "at a glance" is a more common alternative, "in a glance" remains a perfectly acceptable and effective way to describe immediate understanding. Just remember to use it when the context involves swift perception, not complex analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at a glance

Slightly more common and direct, emphasizes the immediate perception.

with a quick look

More descriptive, focusing on the action of looking briefly.

at a cursory glance

Combines brevity and superficiality in the perception.

upon initial observation

More formal, suitable for academic or technical contexts.

with a brief overview

Highlights that only the main parts are looked at.

at first sight

Focuses on the visual aspect and the immediate impression.

in a flash

Emphasizes the speed and suddenness of understanding.

in an instant

Similar to "in a flash", but with a broader application to any kind of perception, not just visual.

instantaneously

Highlights the immediacy and lack of delay.

with a cursory examination

Stresses the brevity and superficiality of the assessment.

FAQs

How can I use "in a glance" in a sentence?

You can use "in a glance" to describe something that is understood or assessed very quickly. For instance, "The problem was obvious "at a glance"."

What are some alternatives to "in a glance"?

Alternatives include "at a glance", "immediately", or "instantly", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "in a glance" or "at a glance"?

"At a glance" is slightly more common, but "in a glance" is also correct and widely accepted. The choice often comes down to personal preference or stylistic considerations.

What does "in a glance" imply about the depth of understanding?

Using "in a glance" suggests a quick, superficial understanding rather than a deep, thorough analysis. It's suitable when the key information is readily apparent.