takes a quick glance

USAGE SUMMARY

"takes a quick glance" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to describe someone looking at something quickly. For example: "He took a quick glance at the menu to decide what to order."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Backstage, another man puts on his wig and takes a quick glance at his pocket mirror, before adjusting his tight-fitting red dress.

BBC

He's got the ball at his feet 25 yards outside the Inter box, the forward takes a quick glance before unleashing a powerful strike which smashes against the outside of the post.

BBC

The original statement warned that climate change could "knock as much as 10percentt off the size of America's economy by century's end". It only takes a quick glance at the figure from which that number is drawn for even the most stubborn observer to see that we emphatically did not only look at extreme scenarios.

Forbes

The problem is that no man will buy a phone that comes with a "charm," so no matter how much they say the phone is for "everyone," it just takes a quick glance at the Rhyme to see how misleading that is.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

I took a quick glance and retreated.

The New York Times

Frightened, he took a quick glance at her.

The New York Times

Kenny took a quick glance from the kitchen and said, "No, we're closed".

The New Yorker

Then take a quick glance at the other when they're looking the other way.

The Guardian - Sport

Violet took a quick glance, nodded, as if a baby in a motel cart were perfectly ordinary.

The New Yorker

We took a quick glance at our guidebook and realized we were in the Piazza del Bargello.

The New York Times - Travel

Winston Churchill's martini recipe set the tone: Pour some gin into a mixing glass, and take a quick glance at an unopened bottle of vermouth.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "takes a quick glance" to describe a rapid visual assessment, particularly when the brevity of the action is important to the context. It is suitable for situations where a detailed examination is not intended or possible.

Common error

While descriptive, "takes a quick glance" can become repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "glances" or "peeks" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "takes a quick glance" functions as a verb phrase, where "takes" is the main verb and "a quick glance" is a noun phrase acting as the direct object. It describes the action of briefly looking at something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a grammatically correct and readily usable construction.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

12.5%

Wiki

12.5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "takes a quick glance" is a grammatically correct and commonly understood way to describe a brief visual assessment. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts. While not overly formal, it maintains a neutral tone suitable for both news and casual writing. Keep in mind that while useful, varying your descriptive language will improve engagement. Synonyms such as "glances", "peeks", and "casts a quick eye" can add variety and interest to your writing. The frequency of the phrase is somewhat uncommon, and it appears primarily in News & Media, Science and Wiki sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

glance briefly

Emphasizes the brevity of the look.

take a fleeting look

Highlights the transient nature of the observation.

cast a quick eye

Uses a more figurative and slightly archaic expression.

peek rapidly

Suggests a furtive or secretive glimpse.

scan swiftly

Implies a more comprehensive, though fast, survey.

observe momentarily

Focuses on the act of observation in a short time frame.

have a swift look

Uses simpler vocabulary but conveys the same meaning.

get a glimpse

Indicates seeing something incompletely or for a very short time.

check rapidly

Implies a checking action done with a look.

survey momentarily

Implies a very quick overview.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "takes a quick glance" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "observes briefly" or "conducts a cursory examination". The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "takes a quick glance" in writing?

Use "takes a quick glance" when you want to emphasize the speed and lack of thoroughness in someone's visual assessment. It suggests a brief, often casual, look.

Are there situations where "takes a quick glance" would be inappropriate?

Avoid using "takes a quick glance" in contexts that demand careful observation or detailed inspection. In those cases, phrases like "examines thoroughly" or "scrutinizes carefully" are more suitable.

What are some common synonyms for "takes a quick glance"?

Some common synonyms include "glances", "peeks", "casts a glance", or "steals a look", each with slightly different connotations.