take a look at

USAGE SUMMARY

"Take a look at" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to invite someone to look at something, for example: "Take a look at this picture I just drew."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Take a look at this.

The Economist

Take a look at these!

The New York Times - Arts

Take a look at the remaining schedule.

The New York Times

Take a look at this video first.

The New York Times

Take a look at this town.

The New Yorker

Take a look at the IndyBest edit.

Independent

No. Take a look at the footage.

The Economist

"Take a look at the results.

The New York Times

Take a look at the signature.

The New Yorker

Then take a look at the data.

Independent

Take a look at this video.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "take a look at" when you want to direct someone's attention to something specific, whether it's a visual object, a piece of information, or a situation. It is suitable for both informal and semi-formal contexts.

Common error

While "take a look at" is widely understood, it can be too informal for highly professional or academic writing. In such cases, opt for more formal alternatives like "examine", "consider", or "observe".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "take a look at" is as an imperative phrase. It's used to give a direct instruction or make a request, inviting someone to direct their gaze and attention towards something. Ludwig shows various examples of this usage, confirming its role as a directive.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "take a look at" is a very common and grammatically sound imperative phrase used to direct someone's attention to something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used in various contexts, from news articles to how-to guides, though more formal settings may require alternatives such as "examine" or "observe". The frequency of the phrase in News & Media and Wiki sources highlights its widespread applicability, making it a versatile addition to your communication toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have a look

A very similar phrase, common in British English.

check out

A more casual way of saying "look at".

turn your attention to

Focuses attention more deliberately.

observe

Suggests watching something carefully to learn more.

examine

A more formal term for looking at something closely.

consider

Suggests thinking about something, often after looking at it.

inspect

Implies a detailed and careful examination.

scrutinize

Suggests a very critical and detailed examination.

cast your eyes on

A more dramatic or theatrical way to invite someone to look.

peruse

Implies reading or examining something carefully and thoughtfully.

FAQs

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

You can use "take a look at" to invite someone to examine something. For example, "Take a look at this report and tell me what you think."

What's a more formal way to say "take a look at"?

For more formal situations, consider using alternatives such as "examine", "consider", or "observe".

Is "take a look at" appropriate for all types of writing?

While "take a look at" is versatile, it might be too informal for academic papers or highly professional reports. Choose a more formal option in those cases.

What's the difference between "take a look at" and "have a look at"?

"Take a look at" and "have a look at" are very similar in meaning, with "have a look at" being more common in British English.