taking a look

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "taking a look" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to suggest examining or reviewing something briefly. Example: "I'll be taking a look at the report later today to see if any changes are needed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

taking a look at its design & features.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

They're well worth taking a look at.

Yale University

Would Turchi mind taking a look?

The Guardian

"We're really taking a look at it".

The New York Times

Now, however, other potential theater developers are taking a look.

The New York Times

It might be worth taking a look at.

Cornell University

There's something to be said for taking a look.

Harvard University

Try taking a look at our video capture booths.

Stanford University

"The committee's taking a look at it," he said.

The Washington Post

This week, we're taking a look at the rental market.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Take a look, take pictures".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "taking a look" when you want to convey a brief or initial examination of something. It's suitable for situations where a deep dive isn't necessary or has not yet begun.

Common error

While "taking a look" is versatile, avoid using it excessively in formal or professional writing. Opt for more precise alternatives like "examining" or "reviewing" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "taking a look" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun in a sentence. It describes the action of examining or briefly reviewing something. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "taking a look" is a versatile and commonly used gerund phrase that describes the act of examining something, often briefly. As Ludwig confirms, it's grammatically correct and appears frequently in various contexts, especially in news and media. While appropriate for general use, be mindful of its slightly informal tone and consider more precise alternatives like "examining" or "reviewing" for formal writing. When aiming for quick inspections or casual contexts, "taking a look" remains a clear and acceptable choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

checking out

A more informal way to say "taking a look".

glancing at

Suggests a quick and superficial look.

examining

Focuses on a more detailed and careful inspection.

reviewing

Suggests a formal assessment or evaluation.

inspecting

Implies a close and critical observation, often for flaws.

assessing

Focuses on evaluating the value or quality of something.

considering

Suggests thinking about something, often as a prelude to action.

investigating

Implies a more thorough and formal inquiry.

observing

Focuses on watching something carefully.

scrutinizing

Involves a very careful and critical examination.

FAQs

How can I use "taking a look" in a sentence?

"Taking a look" is used to describe the action of examining something, often briefly. For example, "I am "taking a look" at the proposal now".

What can I say instead of "taking a look"?

You can use alternatives like "checking out", "examining", or "reviewing" depending on the context.

Is "taking a look at" grammatically correct?

Yes, "taking a look at" is grammatically correct and commonly used. It's often followed by the object being examined, such as "taking a look at the data".

What's the difference between "taking a look" and "investigating"?

"Taking a look" implies a brief or initial examination, while "investigating" suggests a more thorough and formal inquiry.