sharing a glance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sharing a glance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a moment when two people look at each other briefly, often conveying unspoken communication or understanding. Example: "As they stood across the room, sharing a glance, they both knew what the other was thinking."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A couple sharing a glance.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

One day while ridiculing the personal ads ("windsurfing doctor, Mensa I.Q .), she comes across a notice from Seymour (Mr. Buscemi), who is trying to make contact with a woman he had shared a glance with.

The New York Times

shared a glance at office christmas party i was in town for my uncle fozziwig's company party and while the festivities were getting started you accidentally bumped into me.

The New York Times

Jim and Michael share a glance at each other, both disappointed in the days' events.

Wikipedia

I shared a glance with Jeff and then broke the news: "It came from the trash.

Vice

Or where the Palladium was, a dorm now, she'll still think of that one time she went there when it was a club, shared a glance with one of those guys from the Brat Pack, which one was it.

Huffington Post

But if we lived in the gender-segregated world of Saudi Arabia, where contact between un-related men and women is so severely restricted that to even share a glance with a stranger is considered a moral breakdown, how would we ever befriend a person of the opposite sex, much less find a mate?

Huffington Post

The way Penn goes into slow motion when Frank's girlfriend Dorothy Patricia Arquettee) leaps across the room to the ringing telephone after waiting for his call, her face alight with joy, her parents sharing an anxious glance.

The Guardian - Film

I  shared a victorious glance with Charlie.

Independent

Babies are born, a hand of cards is dealt, two people share a stolen glance.

The Guardian

A teenage girl shared a sideways glance with a boy eating hot dogs next to his parents on the lawn.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sharing a glance" when you want to subtly imply a connection or understanding between two people that is communicated nonverbally, such as agreement, amusement, or secret knowledge.

Common error

Avoid using "sharing a glance" when describing prolonged staring or intense gazing. This phrase implies a brief, often fleeting, exchange of looks. For longer or more intense looks, consider phrases like "exchanging gazes" or "holding eye contact".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sharing a glance" functions as a noun phrase when it acts as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI states that it describes a brief exchange of looks conveying unspoken communication. It can also function as part of a larger clause modifying a verb.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sharing a glance" is a grammatically sound and common phrase used to describe a quick, often meaningful, exchange of looks between two individuals. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and applicability in various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, the phrase subtly suggests a connection, understanding, or unspoken communication. While alternatives like "exchanging a look" or "casting a glance" exist, "sharing a glance" provides a specific nuance of mutuality. To employ the phrase effectively, remember its implication of brevity and subtle understanding, and avoid its use for prolonged staring. Consider that "sharing a glance" is frequently used in news and media, although the register is also generally considered to be neutral.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exchanging a glance

This alternative highlights the reciprocal nature of the look more directly.

sharing a look

This is a more generic alternative, replacing "glance" with the broader term "look".

casting a glance

This alternative focuses on the act of one person directing a brief look.

exchanging looks

This phrase, in plural, emphasizes the back and forth of the look between two or more people.

making eye contact

This highlights the physical act of looking into someone's eyes, but doesn't necessarily imply brevity.

meeting someone's eyes

This emphasizes the act of catching someone's attention with your gaze.

briefly looking at each other

This is a more literal description of the action, lacking the implied meaning of "sharing a glance".

giving a quick look

Focuses on the action of "giving" a look rather than the mutual aspect of sharing.

stealing a glance

Emphasizes secrecy or furtiveness in the exchange of looks.

catching someone's eye

This focuses on attracting someone's attention with a look.

FAQs

How can I use "sharing a glance" in a sentence?

You can use "sharing a glance" to describe a quick, often meaningful look exchanged between two people. For example, "As they stood across the room, "sharing a glance", they both knew what the other was thinking."

What can I say instead of "sharing a glance"?

You can use alternatives like "exchanging a look" or "casting a glance" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "share a glance" instead of "sharing a glance"?

Yes, "share a glance" is also correct, but it typically requires a subject. For example, "They share a glance". "Sharing a glance" can function as a gerund phrase, for example, "Sharing a glance, they understood each other perfectly."

What does "sharing a glance" imply?

"Sharing a glance" often suggests a silent understanding, agreement, or connection between two people. It implies more than just seeing each other; it suggests a brief moment of mutual awareness or communication without words.