look through

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "look through" is correct and usable in written English.
For example, "I'd like you to look through the catalog and pick out the items you'd like to purchase."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'll look through them.

The New York Times - Books

Look through our ratings: Disagree?

Independent

People can look through them".

The New York Times

You look through one.

The New York Times

You would look through binders.

Forbes

"You look through drawing".

Vice

Look through.

WikiHow

Look through it.

WikiHow

Look through the reviews.

WikiHow

Look through your wardrobe.

WikiHow

look through old jewelry.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "look through" to mean search, be specific about what you are searching for. For example, "Look through the documents for any mention of Project X."

Common error

The phrase "look through" can have multiple meanings. Ensure your context clarifies whether you mean to search, to see through, or to ignore.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "look through" primarily functions as a verb of action, indicating the act of examining something, searching for something specific, or even intentionally ignoring someone. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

61%

News & Media

27%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "look through" is a versatile phrasal verb with multiple meanings: to examine, to search, or to intentionally ignore. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and very common in written English. Predominantly found in Wiki and News & Media sources, its register remains mostly neutral, suitable for a variety of contexts. When using "look through", ensure the context clarifies your intended meaning to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "examine" or "sift through" for greater precision. The best practice is to be specific about what is being searched or examined.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leaf through

Implies quickly turning pages to look at something.

sift through

Suggests carefully sorting through a collection.

examine

Focuses on a detailed inspection.

inspect

Implies a formal or official examination.

peruse

Implies reading or examining something carefully and at length.

scan

Suggests a quick overview or search.

browse

Implies a casual and unstructured search.

turn a blind eye

An idiomatic expression for pretending not to notice something.

overlook

Means to fail to notice something.

disregard

Implies intentionally ignoring something.

FAQs

How can I use "look through" in a sentence?

You can use "look through" in sentences like, "Please "look through" these files" or "She "looked through" the window."

What does "look through" mean when someone says they "looked through" me?

It usually means they ignored you or acted as if you were not there. It implies a deliberate act of not acknowledging someone's presence.

Which is correct, ""look through"" or "look over"?

Both are correct but have slightly different meanings. "Look through" implies a more detailed search, while "look over" suggests a quick review.

What can I say instead of ""look through"" when I mean 'examine'?

You can use alternatives like "inspect", "examine", or "investigate" depending on the context.