take a glance

USAGE SUMMARY

"take a glance" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to briefly looking at something. For example: "Take a glance at the menu and let me know what you decide to order."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But take a glance at the Spanish league standings.

The New York Times - Sports

But take a glance at next season's fixtures.

The Economist

Take a glance at the back of Hillary's suit.

The New Yorker

For evidence, take a glance at its current advertisements.

The New York Times

To be fair to Law and Versteeg, they do take a glance at structure.

The New Yorker

But take a glance at that photo; it's a bit gorgeous really.

The Guardian - Tech

Let's take a glance at one of their arguments, shall we?

The New Yorker

Salmond says this is not a paper you can just "take a glance" at.

The Guardian

TAKE a glance over at the person in the next cubicle.

The New York Times

You've got 10 seconds to turn your head and take a glance at the free world.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Take a glancing interest.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "take a glance" when you want to suggest a brief, non-intensive look at something. It's suitable for situations where a detailed inspection isn't necessary.

Common error

While "take a glance" is widely understood, it can sound too informal in academic or professional writing. Opt for more formal alternatives like "examine briefly" or "review quickly" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take a glance" functions as an idiomatic expression used to describe a brief or quick look at something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It is often used to introduce a quick review or assessment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

18%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "take a glance" is a common and grammatically sound idiomatic expression used to describe a quick look or brief examination. As Ludwig AI highlights, it’s widely used across diverse sources, especially in News & Media. While appropriate in most everyday contexts, it’s advisable to opt for more formal alternatives in academic or professional settings. Remember that while the phrase is well-understood, context is key to choose if alternatives such as "have a look", "cast an eye" or "scan briefly" might better suit your needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take a peek

Replaces "glance" with "peek", suggesting a quick and furtive look; slightly more informal.

have a look

Uses a more general term for looking, implying a less specific duration or intensity.

cast an eye

Employs a more figurative expression, suggesting a brief and perhaps critical observation.

give a once-over

Suggests a quick and comprehensive look, often to check for errors or completeness.

take a gander

Uses a slang term ("gander") for look, making it more informal and playful.

steal a look

Implies looking secretly or without permission.

get a glimpse

Focuses on catching a brief and often incomplete view.

scan briefly

Replaces the idiomatic expression with a more literal description of the action.

check something out

Offers a casual way to express looking at or examining something.

glance over

Implies a quick, less detailed reading or viewing of something.

FAQs

What does "take a glance" mean?

"Take a glance" means to look at something quickly and briefly. It implies a short, cursory viewing without detailed inspection.

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

You can use "take a glance" in sentences like: "Take a glance at the report and tell me your initial thoughts", or "Before you start, take a glance at the instructions".

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

You can use alternatives like "have a look", "take a peek", or "cast an eye", depending on the context.

Is "take a glance" formal or informal?

"Take a glance" is generally considered informal. In formal writing, it's better to use alternatives like "examine briefly" or "review quickly".