looking back and forth

USAGE SUMMARY

"looking back and forth" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone (or something) glancing between two or more points in both directions. For example: The little girl nervously looked back and forth between her parents, waiting for their response.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

"Seeing somebody looking back and forth is initially a little strange," he said.

The New York Times

Finally, I found myself looking back and forth between two cards.

The New Yorker

Alice, still standing between them, was looking back and forth, catching glimpses of their majesty as their mounting anger caused them to let it slip, and getting drunker on them.

The New Yorker

He feverishly typed away, looking back and forth between a computer monitor and the four flat screen TVs we have positioned around the Sports desk for days just like this.

The New York Times

She gonna look straight into his face and be, like, 'When were you a coach?' And he gonna be looking back and forth between her and me, saying, 'What coach?' That's when my hand goes into her purse, and I beat her".

The New Yorker

In The Log from the Sea of Cortez, John Steinbeck advised us of the benefits inherent in looking back and forth between the tide pool and the stars, and I've been doing that ever since I first read it roughly 20 years ago.

Princeton University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

This makes the whole visualization easier for the audience to read by eliminating the need to look back-and-forth from the circles to the color legend to figure out what each circle represents.

HuffPost

We looked back and forth at the empty sidewalk.

The New Yorker

They will look back and forth between the two people.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

She looked back and forth, at me and the rat.

The New York Times - Sports

She looked back and forth from my brother to me.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character's confusion or indecision, use "looking back and forth" to vividly illustrate their wavering attention and internal conflict.

Common error

Avoid using "looking back and forth" when a simpler verb like "looked" or "glanced" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound repetitive and less impactful.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "looking back and forth" is as a descriptive phrase, often acting as an adverbial modifier to a verb. It enriches descriptions by specifying how someone is looking. Ludwig AI validates this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "looking back and forth" is a versatile expression used to describe the act of alternating one's gaze, often implying hesitation, comparison, or observation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media, followed by academic and scientific writing. While grammatically sound and widely accepted, overuse can lead to repetitive writing, so consider employing synonyms like "glancing between" or "shifting attention" for stylistic variation. Mastering its use helps convey nuanced meaning and enhances descriptive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

looking from one to the other

A more descriptive and less idiomatic way of expressing the same action.

glancing between

Focuses on the quick, brief nature of the alternating looks.

moving eyes between

A simpler and more literal description of the action.

alternating one's gaze

Highlights the act of switching focus between different points.

shifting attention

Emphasizes the mental process of changing focus rather than the physical act of looking.

darting eyes between

Emphasizes the quick and nervous movement of the eyes.

scanning to and fro

Emphasizes the breadth of the scan from one side to another.

casting glances back and forth

Adds a slightly more formal or literary tone.

surveying alternately

Highlights the systematic nature of the alternating survey.

oscillating gaze

Uses more technical or scientific terminology.

FAQs

How can I use "looking back and forth" in a sentence?

"Looking back and forth" describes the action of glancing repeatedly between two or more things. For example, "The tennis fans were "looking back and forth" between the players during the intense rally."

What can I say instead of "looking back and forth"?

You can use alternatives like "glancing between", "shifting attention", or "alternating one's gaze" depending on the context.

Is it ever incorrect to use "looking back and forth"?

While grammatically correct, overuse of "looking back and forth" can make writing sound repetitive. Consider using a more concise verb like "glanced" or "surveyed" if the back-and-forth motion is implied.

What does "looking back and forth" imply about a character's state of mind?

"Looking back and forth" often suggests hesitation, confusion, or indecision. It can also indicate that someone is trying to assess a situation or gauge the reactions of others.