take a glance at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take a glance at" is both correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as a way to direct someone to take a brief look at something. For example, "Take a glance at the map before you leave for work to make sure you're taking the most direct route."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But take a glance at next season's fixtures.

The Economist

But take a glance at the Spanish league standings.

The New York Times - Sports

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

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

The Guardian - Opinion

I take a glance at my listing sheet, as if all this crucial data were printed there.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Take a glance at matrixMultiply.c.c

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When directing someone to examine something quickly, "take a glance at" is appropriate. Ensure the context implies brevity and not a thorough inspection.

Common error

Avoid using "take a glance at" when the context requires a detailed analysis or thorough review. Use phrases like "analyze carefully" or "study thoroughly" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take a glance at" functions as an idiomatic expression used to direct someone's attention to something for a brief visual inspection. Ludwig examples showcase its usability across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

28%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "take a glance at" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to suggest a brief look at something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Academia. While alternatives like "take a look at" exist, "take a glance at" effectively conveys the need for a quick, cursory examination. Ensure the context aligns with a brief inspection, not a detailed analysis, to avoid misuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take a peek at

Implies a quick, often secretive, look.

take a look at

A more general and common alternative, suggesting a look without specifying duration.

take a gander at

An informal alternative, implying a casual look.

scan through

Suggests a quick reading to get the main points.

skim over

Implies reading quickly without paying attention to details.

browse through

Suggests a casual, unfocused examination.

cast an eye over

A more formal and literary alternative for a quick look.

run through

Implies a quick review or rehearsal.

leaf through

Suggests quickly turning pages to look at the contents.

peruse briefly

A formal alternative implying a quick and somewhat thorough examination.

FAQs

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

You can use "take a glance at" to suggest a quick look. For example, "Take a glance at the report and tell me what you think."

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

You can use alternatives like "take a peek at", "take a look at", or "scan through" depending on the context.

Is "take a glance at" formal or informal?

"Take a glance at" is generally considered to be neutral in tone, suitable for both informal and moderately formal contexts. For highly formal situations, consider using "examine briefly".

Which is correct: "take a glance at" or "have a glance at"?

Both "take a glance at" and "have a glance at" are grammatically acceptable, but "take a glance at" is far more common in American English. "Have a glance at" is more frequently used in British English.