looking intently at something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looking intently at something" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing someone who is observing or examining an object or scene with great focus and attention. Example: "She was looking intently at the painting, trying to decipher the artist's hidden message."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

He faced her squarely, not smiling, looking intently at her. "Thank you".

The New Yorker

(Mr. Schmidt is shown looking intently at computer screens, "the back of a North Korean Student," and Mr. Richardson).

The New York Times

He tilted his chair slightly left, looking intently at the prosecutors as they read the indictment.

The New York Times

"They might be looking intently at you, understanding everything," Professor Sciolla said.

The New York Times

"Head," in "The Early Works," is a portrait of Mr. Wagner, a handsome man looking intently at the viewer.

The New York Times

Do babies react differently when they are looking intently at the faces of people of different races?

University of California, Berkeley

The image in the mirror is that of a spry, nattily attired man looking intently at himself.

The New York Times - Arts

The girl is downcast, looking intently at the floor.

Unicef

Looking at all the uniforms made me feel like I have a reason to be worried, that there's something to be anxious about and I began, again, to look intently at the people around me.

Huffington Post

He looked intently at the band.

The New Yorker

The faces looked intently at the judge.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "looking intently at something" to describe a focused observation, particularly when you want to emphasize the subject's concentration and interest. For example, "The scientist was "looking intently at something" under the microscope."

Common error

Avoid using "looking intently at something" when a simpler verb like "looking at" or "watching" suffices. Overusing adverbs can make your writing sound unnatural. Instead of "He was "looking intently at something" on the screen", try "He was looking at the screen".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looking intently at something" functions primarily as a verbal phrase. It describes an action (looking) performed with a specific manner (intently) toward an object. Ludwig examples show its use in describing focused observation.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "looking intently at something" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe focused observation, Ludwig AI confirms. While not very common, it appears in news, academic, and business contexts. Alternatives like "gazing intently at something" or "staring intently at something" can be used to add nuance. When writing, use it to highlight concentrated attention, but avoid overuse in simple descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gazing intently at something

Replaces "looking" with "gazing", suggesting a more prolonged or admiring observation.

staring intently at something

Uses "staring" instead of "looking", implying a fixed and unwavering gaze.

watching something intently

Uses "watching" rather than "looking", implying observation over a period of time.

scrutinizing something closely

Focuses on the act of careful and critical examination.

focusing intently on something

Highlights the concentration and lack of distraction in the observation.

observing something attentively

Highlights the attentiveness and focus of the observation.

examining something carefully

Emphasizes the thoroughness and precision of the examination.

peering intently at something

Implies looking with difficulty or concentration, often due to poor visibility.

studying something closely

Suggests a more deliberate and analytical approach to observation.

contemplating something deeply

Suggests a thoughtful and reflective observation.

FAQs

What does "looking intently at something" mean?

The phrase "looking intently at something" means to observe or examine something with great focus, attention, and concentration. It suggests a deep level of engagement with the object of observation.

How can I use "looking intently at something" in a sentence?

You can use "looking intently at something" to describe someone's focused gaze. For instance, "She was "looking intently at something" in the distance, trying to make out what it was."

What are some alternatives to "looking intently at something"?

Some alternatives include "gazing intently at something", "staring intently at something", or "scrutinizing something closely". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "looking intently at something" or "looking at something intently"?

Both "looking intently at something" and "looking at something intently" are grammatically correct, but "looking intently at something" is generally considered more natural and flows better in most contexts. The placement of the adverb "intently" before the prepositional phrase emphasizes the manner of looking.