keen sight

USAGE SUMMARY

"keen sight" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe someone with a sharp or perceptive vision. Here is an example: "Despite her advanced age, Grandma still had a keen sight and could spot a deer in the field long before anyone else."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

/ It has a sniper's keen sight / and gazes unflinchingly at the future / as only it can".

Huffington Post

Richard the Lionheart was so named for his courage, while someone with the last name Adler (German for "eagle") may have had the keen sight (or insight) of an eagle or perhaps a nose like an eagle's.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Sometimes it literally gives us keener sight or hearing than we were born with, or replaces physical parts that no longer work; we integrate it into our bodies and make ourselves cyborgs.

The Guardian - Opinion

Adventurers with a keen eye sight and loud vocal chords are being offered the chance to explore the Arctic with scientists, in a three week job contract as polar bear spotter.

Independent

For those keeping track, my colleague, TechCrunch engineer Rob Saurini, said that, of the hackers he observed with his keen hacker sight, about 90percentt were using Macs.

TechCrunch

Early inventors were keen on sights, like those on rifles.

The New York Times - Sports

Scores of camera-ready onlookers teetered on the perimeter of the rebuilding site, keen to catch sight of her.

The New York Times

Although details about the evolution of dogs are uncertain, the first dogs were hunters with keen senses of sight and smell.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Other adaptations that enable them to survive in deserts and other unfavourable environments include double rows of heavy protective eyelashes, haired ear openings, the ability to close their nostrils, and keen senses of sight and smell.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Taken together, the team concludes these features show ichthyosaurs were highly mobile predators with a keen sense of sight and smell. .

Science Magazine

Their hearing is much keener than their sight, and they employ a vast range of vocalizations, many of which are heard on their CD, to be released by the New York-based Mulatta Records.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keen sight" when you want to emphasize not just the ability to see well, but also the ability to perceive details and nuances that others might miss.

Common error

Avoid using "keen sight" when you actually mean "keen insight". "Keen sight" refers to visual acuity, while "keen insight" refers to a sharp understanding or perception of a situation or idea.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keen sight" functions primarily as a descriptive phrase, modifying a noun (often a person or creature) to indicate their exceptional ability to see or observe. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with examples showing its descriptive capability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "keen sight" is a grammatically correct descriptive phrase used to denote exceptional visual ability or observational skills. While it's not a highly frequent expression, it appears in various contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and general writing. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its correctness and usage. When using this phrase, it's essential to differentiate it from "keen insight", which refers to mental perception. Consider alternatives like "sharp vision" or "acute eyesight" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sharp vision

Replaces "keen" with "sharp", focusing on the clarity of sight.

acute eyesight

Uses "acute" to emphasize the sharpness and clarity of vision, and "eyesight" to explicitly refer to the ability to see.

perceptive vision

Highlights the ability to notice and understand things clearly through sight.

discerning eye

Emphasizes the ability to make fine distinctions and judgments through sight.

sharp observation skills

Shifts the focus to the skill of observing keenly, not just the physical aspect of sight.

attentive gaze

Focuses on the act of looking with attention and awareness.

clear vision

Simple substitution focusing on the unobstructed nature of sight.

eagle eye

A more figurative expression indicating extremely sharp and attentive vision.

piercing gaze

Focuses on the intensity and penetrating quality of someone's sight.

excellent visual acuity

A more technical term referring to the clarity and sharpness of vision.

FAQs

How can I use "keen sight" in a sentence?

You can use "keen sight" to describe someone who has excellent vision or is very observant. For example: "The birdwatcher's "keen sight" allowed her to identify even the most distant birds."

What's a good synonym for "keen sight"?

Alternatives to "keen sight" include "sharp vision", "acute eyesight", or "perceptive vision", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say someone has a "keen sight" for detail?

While technically correct, it's more common to say someone has a "keen eye" for detail. "Keen sight" generally refers to the physical ability to see clearly.

What is the difference between "keen sight" and "keen insight"?

"Keen sight" refers to sharp visual perception, while "keen insight" refers to a deep understanding or intuitive grasp of something. They describe different types of perception.