in a glimpse

USAGE SUMMARY

"in a glimpse" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express a brief glance or quick look at something. For example, "In a glimpse of the horizon, I could see the sun setting over the mountains."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Last week, in a glimpse of what the future might bring, elderly Athenians stood for hours outside banks as the government struggled to pay pensions.

The Guardian

In a glimpse of the future of ad feedback, Hulu users are encouraged to click buttons indicating whether they like or dislike each ad they see.

The New York Times

It originated in a glimpse he caught of a child's face peeking out from behind a curtain in a patron's home.

The New York Times - Arts

From 1968 he served for seven years while, amid this and continuing work, he sought another monastic residence, in America - described in A Glimpse of Nothingness (1975).

The Guardian - Books

But in a glimpse of the debate to come, Ms. Napolitano met resistance from key Republicans — including Senator Charles E. Grassley, Republican of Iowa, the committee's ranking member, and Senator John Cornyn, Republican of Texas — over enforcement.

The New York Times

In a glimpse of at least partial reconciliation, Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki and the Kuwaiti emir exchanged kisses on the tarmac at Baghdad's airport and marched down a red carpet together.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

It seems more likely that preteenagers tune in for a glimpse of what's ahead.

The New York Times - Arts

(Ms. Dunn even throws in a funny glimpse of her heroine's psychotherapy).

The New York Times - Books

For weeks, thousands of visitors have crowded in for a glimpse of a dimly lit chapter of American history.

The New York Times

A crowd of 40,000 people jammed into a stadium in Norway for a glimpse of her.

The New York Times

The Ostend assemblage is therefore important in providing a glimpse of conditions that occurred during a major cold stage in the early Middle Pleistocene.

Proceedings of the Geologists' Association

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in a glimpse" to add a sense of immediacy or brevity to a description. It works well when you want to emphasize how quickly something was seen or understood.

Common error

While "in a glimpse" is a useful phrase, avoid using it too frequently in your writing. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your descriptions by using synonyms like "briefly" or "at a glance".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a glimpse" functions as a prepositional phrase, often modifying a verb or noun to indicate the manner or duration of an action or observation. Ludwig AI confirms this, highlighting its use to describe a quick or fleeting view.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in a glimpse" is a commonly used prepositional phrase that indicates a brief or quick look at something. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability across various writing contexts. It is most frequently found in news and media sources, and while grammatically sound, overuse should be avoided for stylistic reasons. Alternatives such as "at a glance" or "briefly" can add variety to your writing. Remember to use it when you want to add a sense of immediacy or brevity to your descriptions, as confirmed by real-world examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at a glance

Implies ease and quickness of perception.

in a flash

Emphasizes the suddenness and speed of the view.

in a split second

Similar to “in a flash” but conveys even greater speed

in an instant

Similar to 'in a flash', stressing immediacy.

with a quick look

More descriptive, emphasizing the act of looking quickly.

momentarily

Focuses on the brief duration of the viewing experience.

briefly

Directly indicates the short length of the viewing.

for a second

Highlights the short period in which something is visible.

for a moment

Highlights the fleeting nature of the observation.

in passing

Suggests a casual or incidental view.

FAQs

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

You can use "in a glimpse" to describe a brief or quick observation, such as "In a glimpse of the future, we saw technological advancements" or "She caught his eye in a glimpse".

What are some alternatives to "in a glimpse"?

Alternatives include "at a glance", "briefly", or "momentarily" depending on the context you want to create.

What's the difference between "in a glimpse" and "at a glance"?

"In a glimpse" emphasizes the brevity and suddenness of the observation, while "at a glance" focuses on the ease and speed of understanding something immediately.

Is "in a glimpse" formal or informal?

"In a glimpse" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal writing, though it is more common in narrative or descriptive contexts.