quick look at

USAGE SUMMARY

"quick look at" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you need to look at something quickly. For example: Give the website a quick look to see if you can find the information you need.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But first, a quick look at past form.

The Economist

A quick look at the history of ads in books.

The New Yorker

A quick look at the remaining plausible candidates shows why.

The New Yorker

I take a quick look at the numbers.

The Economist

Here is a quick look at some courses.

The New York Times - Travel

I've just been taking a quick look at it again.

The Guardian

We take a quick look at their international policies.

The Guardian

Here's a quick look at some of this month's arrivals.

The New York Times

8.35am: I've had a quick look at the papers.

The Guardian

They also took a quick look at the proceedings to make sure everything was copacetic.

The New York Times - Sports

"Should we take a quick look at the fort?" Tony asked.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In professional settings, combine it with verbs like "take" or "have" to sound natural and proactive.

Common error

Writers often use "quick look at" when they actually mean a deep dive or a detailed analysis. If your subsequent paragraph is several pages long, use "comprehensive analysis" instead to avoid misleading the reader about the scope of your investigation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quick look at" functions as a complex noun phrase usually serving as the direct object of a light verb like "take" or "have". It consists of a quantifying adjective, a noun of perception and a prepositional head that directs the focus to a specific target. According to Ludwig, it is most frequently used to introduce evidence or set the stage for a summary.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Social Media

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "quick look at" is an indispensable tool in the English language for transitioning between topics and introducing brief evidentiary support. Ludwig AI highlights its prevalence in high-authority sources like The New York Times and The Economist, where it serves as a bridge between a general claim and a specific example. Whether you are writing a tech review, a scientific abstract or a business email, this phrase provides a clear signal to your audience that you are prioritizing their time while still providing necessary context. Its grammatical structure is stable and it is consistently used to denote a non-exhaustive but focused inspection.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

brief glance at

Emphasizes the speed and visual nature of the act

cursory review of

Adds a slightly more formal and analytical tone

swift overview of

Ideal for summarizing information rather than just looking at objects

fast scan of

Implies searching for specific information within a larger dataset

rapid inspection of

Suggests a more systematic but still very fast check

preliminary check of

Focuses on the intent of a first-stage evaluation

short peek at

Much more informal and implies seeing something restricted or hidden

fleeting glimpse of

Focuses on the brevity and the potential incompleteness of the view

superficial survey of

Often carries a slightly negative connotation of lacking depth

passing observation of

Suggests the look happened while focused on something else

FAQs

How to use "quick look at" in a sentence?

You can use it to introduce a brief observation, such as: "Let's take a "quick look at" the current market trends before we proceed."

What can I say instead of "quick look at"?

Depending on the tone, you can use "brief glance at", "cursory review of" or "rapid overview of".

Is "quick look at" grammatically correct?

Yes, it is entirely correct. Ludwig AI confirms it is widely usable in written English for situations where an immediate or brief inspection is required.

What is the difference between "quick look at" and "briefly examine"?

While the meaning is similar, "quick look at" is a noun phrase usually requiring a verb like 'take', whereas "briefly examine" is a verb-adverb combination that sounds slightly more academic.