scrolling through

USAGE SUMMARY

"scrolling through" is an idiom in English used to describe the action of flicking or quickly glancing through something.
You can use it when talking about quickly looking through a long list, webpage, or even a long conversation. Example sentence: I was scrolling through my social media feed when I noticed the latest news.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

She kept scrolling through her computer.

The New Yorker

Let's say you're scrolling through Instagram.

The New York Times - Arts

You're now scrolling through that person's pictures.

Stanford University

Scrolling through the month, Betchkal labels many sounds by sight.

The New York Times - Magazine

Are they hitting the books, or scrolling through them?

The New Yorker

He went on scrolling through his E-mails.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

We scroll through them.

The Guardian

They scrolled through the possibilities.

The New Yorker

I scrolled through the reports.

The New Yorker

Heffner quickly scrolled through some layouts.

The New Yorker

Masha quietly scrolled through her phone.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When proofreading, ensure that you are using "scrolling through" appropriately to convey quick navigation, and not to imply a thorough review, for which "examining" or "reviewing" might be more suitable.

Common error

Avoid using "scrolling through" when you mean a careful or thorough examination. This phrase implies speed and superficiality, so choose words like "analyzing" or "investigating" if you want to communicate careful attention to detail.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scrolling through" functions as a prepositional verb, describing the action of moving quickly through digital content. As Ludwig AI explains, it is often used to express a quick and casual navigation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

27%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "scrolling through" is a very common prepositional verb that aptly describes the action of quickly navigating digital content. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various platforms, particularly in News & Media and Science contexts. While generally neutral in register, it's important to avoid using it when a more thorough review is intended, and opt for alternatives like "browsing through", "reviewing", or "examining" instead. Understanding its typical applications and potential pitfalls ensures effective communication across diverse writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

browsing through

Implies a more leisurely and less directed form of looking, often without a specific goal.

flicking through

Suggests a rapid and casual manner of going through something, often pages or images.

skimming through

Focuses on reading quickly to get the main idea, rather than looking at everything.

scanning through

Implies a more systematic and thorough search for specific information.

leafing through

Specifically refers to turning pages of a book or magazine.

glancing through

Suggests a very quick and superficial look.

perusing

Implies reading or examining something carefully and at length.

thumbing through

Refers to turning pages with one's thumb, often quickly.

flipping through

Highlights the quick and often random selection of items from a collection.

checking out

Indicates a general act of inspecting or exploring something.

FAQs

How can I use "scrolling through" in a sentence?

You can use "scrolling through" to describe the action of quickly browsing digital content. For example, "I was scrolling through my news feed this morning."

What's a more formal alternative to "scrolling through"?

In a formal context, consider using phrases like "reviewing" or "examining" instead of "scrolling through", depending on the specific action you're describing.

Is it appropriate to use "scrolling through" in academic writing?

While "scrolling through" is widely understood, it might be too informal for academic writing. Depending on the context, consider alternatives like "reviewing", "surveying", or "examining".

What's the difference between "browsing through" and "scrolling through"?

"Scrolling through" typically refers to a rapid, linear movement through digital content, while "browsing through" suggests a more leisurely and exploratory approach.