taking a look at

USAGE SUMMARY

"taking a look at" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to the act of examining or examining something closely, either physically or figuratively. For example, "The teacher decided to take a look at the students' test papers before grading them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

taking a look at its design & features.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

They're well worth taking a look at.

Yale University

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

The New York Times

It might be worth taking a look at.

Cornell 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

4 human-written examples

"Believe me, we're taking a look at it," he said.

The New York Times

That's part of the process here, taking a look at yourself and evaluating yourself.

Los Angeles Times

She describes it as taking a look at the "man, not the monster".

The Economist

"We're disappointed in this decision and are taking a look at our options".

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "taking a look at" to introduce a brief examination or consideration of a topic, issue, or item. It's appropriate for both casual and semi-formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "taking a look at" in formal documents, reports, or academic papers. Opt for more precise and professional alternatives like "examining", "assessing", or "analyzing" to maintain a higher level of formality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "taking a look at" functions primarily as a verb phrase acting as a prepositional verb. It introduces the act of examining or considering something. Ludwig AI supports this with numerous examples across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "taking a look at" is a versatile phrase used to describe the act of examining or considering something. Ludwig AI confirms that it's widely used in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Academia. While generally acceptable, it might be too informal for certain professional or scientific contexts where more precise alternatives like "examining", "assessing", or "analyzing" would be more appropriate. The phrase functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action of review or consideration. Be mindful of the context and choose the most fitting alternative to maintain the desired level of formality and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reviewing

Implies a systematic assessment, often of documents or processes.

examining

A more formal synonym, suitable for academic or professional contexts.

considering

Suggests a more thoughtful and deliberate assessment.

assessing

Focuses on evaluating the quality or value of something.

analyzing

Implies a detailed and systematic examination.

evaluating

Focuses on determining the significance or worth of something.

investigating

Implies a more thorough and in-depth analysis.

inspecting

Suggests a careful and detailed examination.

exploring

Suggests an open-ended investigation with no predetermined outcome.

checking out

A more informal alternative, suitable for casual conversation.

FAQs

What does "taking a look at" mean?

The phrase "taking a look at" means to examine, consider, or investigate something, often in a preliminary or exploratory way. It implies a brief or initial assessment.

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

You can use "taking a look at" to introduce a topic you're about to consider, as in, "We're "taking a look at" the latest market trends" or "I'm "taking a look at" your proposal now."

What are some alternatives to "taking a look at"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "examining", "reviewing", "considering", or "investigating" instead of "taking a look at".

Is "taking a look at" too informal for professional communication?

While generally acceptable, "taking a look at" can sometimes be perceived as informal. For more formal professional contexts, consider alternatives like "assessing", "analyzing", or "evaluating" for a more polished tone.