received a look

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "received a look" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where someone is given a particular expression or gaze, often conveying a specific emotion or reaction. Example: "When she mentioned the surprise party, he received a look of disbelief from his friend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

When I asked for them, I received a look of contempt.

The New York Times

Both received a look because Nazr Mohammed, the presumed starter since training camp began, failed to impress in the first two preseason games.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

And even if you are not among the few, the proud, the gifted, subscribers to the print version of Variety received a look-book about "Brokeback," including those rarely seen two-shots of Heath and Jake.

The New York Times

Their top pitching prospect, Jon Niese, who has advanced to Class AAA New Orleans, could receive a look.

The New York Times - Sports

Ask an elderly relative if they're partial to a bichpoo and you'll probably receive a look of confusion.

Independent

"Seltzer," I replied, receiving a look of disappointment from him.

Huffington Post

The bikes immediately facing the priest are reserved by the most loyal -- booked in the hope of receiving a look of favor or a nod of recognition from the leader.

Huffington Post

The experiment received a full look in today's scrimmage because Coach Jim Fassel rested Barber.

The New York Times - Sports

INDOORS: The two-story colonial house was built in 1947 and remodeled in 1959, when the interior received a midcentury look.

The New York Times

Investors received a first look at the second-quarter gross domestic product.

Forbes

Users will also notice that the apps received a new look with the updated releases out now, where the focus is on allowing users to more easily discover, watch and share videos with friends.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "received a look" when you want to describe someone's reaction or expression nonverbally, adding depth to character interactions or conveying unspoken emotions. This phrase works well in narrative writing to show, rather than tell, how a character is perceived.

Common error

Avoid using "received a look" when the context implies a direct action from the subject. For example, instead of "He received a look of surprise", which focuses on the receiver, if he actively showed surprise, use "He looked surprised" to highlight his action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "received a look" functions as a descriptive element within a sentence. It typically adds information about the subject's experience of being visually assessed or regarded by another. Ludwig AI confirms its usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "received a look" is a versatile way to describe a non-verbal interaction, conveying an impression or emotion through someone's expression. It is considered grammatically correct, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, and is commonly used in news and media, formal business contexts and in scientific contexts. While related phrases like "got a glance" or "was given a stare" can be used, understanding the specific nuance you wish to convey is key. When writing, using this phrase helps "show, don't tell", enabling more engaging and vivid storytelling. Overall, its neutral register and common frequency make "received a look" a valuable tool for any writer.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

got a glance

Replaces "received" with "got" and "look" with "glance", implying a brief or quick visual impression.

was given a stare

Changes "received" to "was given" and "look" to "stare", suggesting a more intense and prolonged gaze.

experienced a gaze

Substitutes 'look' with 'gaze', implying a steady and intent observation.

encountered a glare

Replaces 'look' with 'glare' indicating a hostile or angry expression.

attracted a glance

Focuses on causing the visual attention rather than receiving it. Changes "received" to "attracted" to highlight the subject's role in gaining attention.

drew a stare

Changes the focus to causing the stare. "Drew" suggests attracting or provoking a stare.

faced a scowl

Indicates that the look received was specifically a scowl, a facial expression of displeasure.

was met with a frown

Similar to 'faced a scowl', this specifies that the look was a frown, indicating sadness or disapproval.

elicited a response

Shifts the focus from a visual cue to a more general reaction. This is a broader term, and while related, lacks the specific visual component.

met with disapproval

This suggests a negative reaction, moving away from simply receiving a look to implying a critical or negative judgment.

FAQs

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

You can use "received a look" to describe someone's reaction conveyed through their expression. For example, "She "received a look" of disbelief when he announced his resignation unexpectedly".

What can I say instead of "received a look"?

You can use alternatives like "got a glance", "was given a stare", or "attracted a glance" depending on the context and the intensity of the expression you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "was received a look" instead of "received a look"?

No, "was received a look" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is ""received a look"", where "received" is the active verb indicating that someone was the recipient of a particular expression.

What's the difference between "received a look" and "gave a look"?

"Received a look" indicates that someone was the recipient of an expression or gaze, while "gave a look" implies that someone was the one expressing or directing the gaze towards someone else. The former is passive, and the latter is active.