look for an angle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "look for an angle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a perspective or approach to a situation, often in contexts like problem-solving, journalism, or analysis. Example: "When writing your article, make sure to look for an angle that will engage your readers and provide a fresh perspective."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"You look for an angle that has news value," he said, "and you ask can we mark this day in a creative, exciting and journalistically meaningful way".

The New York Times

As the lawyers look for an angle — any angle — that can win Charles acquittal, Mr. Mamet lays out a reductive take on race relations in this country: whites are guilty, blacks are bitter.

The New York Times

We look for an angle which pushes the watermarked coordinates deep inside the detection region.

EURASIP Journal on Information Security

As a filmmaker, you look for an angle on the story.

Huffington Post

If you have such a corner, look for an angle measuring device at your hardware store.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"Everyone's looking for an angle; everyone wants something new".

The New York Times - Food

And the place is riddled with journalists looking for an angle or a story, he warns.

The Guardian - Business

I sympathized with the amateur photographers rushing around, each looking for an angle that conceivably made this place look lost.

The New York Times - Travel

If I were a journalist looking for an angle, I would focus on the elite "squeezed top", most likely those Russell Group institutions with business schools.

The Guardian

I'll be honest, I was looking for an angle into the more technical world of the breakdown but the former Tigers supremo was straight to his point.

The Times

10 According to the May edition of the British Medical Journal, what was the range of motion of head above which headbangers might cause mild injury to their heads (I'm looking for an angle here)?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "look for an angle" in journalistic or analytical contexts, ensure that the angle you seek is both novel and relevant to the core subject matter. Focus on adding unique value.

Common error

Avoid using "look for an angle" as a justification for distorting facts or creating unnecessary drama. Prioritize accuracy and ethical reporting over sensationalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "look for an angle" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the action of seeking a specific or unique perspective on a subject. Ludwig confirms this usage through various examples, indicating its active nature.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "look for an angle" is a grammatically correct and usable expression, particularly within journalistic, scientific, and problem-solving contexts. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is used to describe the process of seeking a unique or novel perspective. While not extremely common, it is generally well-understood and accepted. To avoid potential pitfalls, remember to focus on adding unique value and ethical considerations while avoiding the pursuit of mere sensationalism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seek a perspective

Focuses on finding a specific viewpoint or way of understanding something.

find a viewpoint

Emphasizes the discovery of a particular position or belief.

identify a slant

Suggests finding a biased or partial perspective.

explore a possibility

Highlights the investigation of a potential course of action or explanation.

consider an aspect

Focuses on examining a particular facet or element of a situation.

pursue a line of inquiry

Indicates the following of a specific direction of investigation.

search for a lead

Implies seeking an initial clue or piece of information.

hunt for a motive

Concentrates on discovering the underlying reason or cause behind an action.

dig for a hidden truth

Emphasizes the process of uncovering something concealed.

unearth a novel approach

Highlights finding an original and new method.

FAQs

How can I use "look for an angle" in a sentence?

You can use "look for an angle" when describing the process of finding a unique perspective or approach to a story, problem, or situation. For example, "As a journalist, I always "look for an angle" that hasn't been explored before".

What is a less formal way to say "look for an angle"?

Informally, you might say "find a different take" or "find a new spin" to convey a similar meaning to ""look for an angle"".

What's the difference between ""look for an angle"" and "seek a perspective"?

"Look for an angle" often implies a more active search for a specific, possibly unique, viewpoint, while "seek a perspective" suggests a broader effort to understand different viewpoints.

When is it appropriate to use "look for an angle" in writing?

It is appropriate to use ""look for an angle"" when discussing journalism, problem-solving, or creative endeavors where finding a fresh or unique viewpoint is important.