scan the headlines

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scan the headlines" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to quickly looking through news headlines to get an overview of current events or topics of interest. Example: "Every morning, I take a few minutes to scan the headlines to stay updated on the latest news."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"We have a new credo: carpe noctem — seize the night," said Douglas A. Kass, a hedge fund manager who routinely sets his alarm for precisely that time to scan the headlines coming out of Europe.

The New York Times

FeedWrangler: An RSS reader that lets you scan the headlines, mark items as read, save items to read later, and even read the full article in the app itself.

TechCrunch

The day the news breaks, I scan the headlines.

Huffington Post

Yet if you scan the headlines, you will find it difficult to get a break from gloom.

Huffington Post

They rise, get ready as needed for their particular schedule, then sit down, stand up, turn on, or pick up their media preference to scan the headlines.

Huffington Post

"It is pretty obvious if you scan the headlines of major newspapers that the coverage slants negative in a way that is so offensive," she told me.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

For anyone scanning the headlines, the protests looked simple.

The Economist

Even the president admits he only scans the headlines of political coverage.

The New York Times

He laid out a Chinese newspaper and scanned the headlines, with little interest.

The New Yorker

Still shaking his head over Barnum's cynical words, he scanned the headlines of Greeley's newspaper.

The New York Times

On his Bloomberg, O'Neill brought up the page with the news of the moment and scanned the headlines for his name.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "scan the headlines", ensure your writing implies a quick, cursory review rather than in-depth reading. This phrase is best suited for describing someone who is staying generally informed without committing to detailed analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "scan the headlines" when you mean a detailed analysis. The phrase suggests a quick overview, not an exhaustive review of the news.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scan the headlines" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the action of quickly looking through the headlines of news articles or other publications. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "scan the headlines" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a quick review of news headlines to stay informed. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from reputable sources such as The New York Times and The Economist. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts, indicating its relevance in journalistic and everyday communication. While it implies a superficial overview, it's crucial not to mistake it for comprehensive reading. Alternatives include "glance over the news" or "skim the news stories", depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

review the headlines

Implies a slightly more thorough look than scanning.

glance over the news

Implies a quicker, more casual review than "scan".

check the top stories

Focuses on the most important or prominent news items.

skim the news stories

Similar to scanning but suggests focusing on stories rather than just headlines.

survey the news

Implies a broad overview of different news sources.

browse the news

Suggests a more leisurely and less focused approach.

follow the main news

Suggests staying informed about key news events.

peruse the news briefs

More formal; suggests carefully reading short summaries.

monitor news updates

Focuses on continuous tracking of new information.

catch up on current affairs

Focuses on understanding broader events and issues.

FAQs

How can I use "scan the headlines" in a sentence?

You can use "scan the headlines" to describe a quick review of news. For example, "Every morning, I "scan the headlines" to stay informed about current events."

What's the difference between ""scan the headlines"" and "read the news"?

"Scan the headlines" suggests a brief overview, while "read the news" implies a more thorough and comprehensive reading of news articles.

What can I say instead of ""scan the headlines""?

You can use alternatives like "glance over the news", "skim the news stories", or "check the top stories" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use ""scan the headlines"" in formal writing?

Yes, ""scan the headlines"" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing, as it's a common and widely understood expression.