to glide over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to glide over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the action of moving smoothly and effortlessly over a surface or to refer to the act of avoiding a topic or detail in conversation or writing. Example: "During the presentation, she chose to glide over the more complex issues to keep the audience engaged."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Although Leeds hit back immediately when Moon took McGuire's pass to glide over, the gap was eight points when Stefan Ratchford stretched over with 19 minutes remaining.

The Guardian - Sport

The opening score came on 15 minutes with full-back Stacul taking Thomas Bosc's inside pass to glide over for the first of his two tries.

BBC

Music writers compare Scott's partnership with Richard on the album to producer Brian Eno's work with David Bowie during the latter's "Berlin" period; Jonathan Bogart of The Atlantic writes that Scott serves a similar role by "creating dense soundscapes for [Richard's] often electronically altered voice to glide over, wash through, soar in, and pierce with sudden emotion".

Wikipedia

Cory's shearwaters fly close to the ocean surface using the wind stress to glide over the waves, which limits their capacity to select other flight altitudes with more favorable winds.

Plosone

S6 haemocoel sporozoites adhere with one end and display the immature and non-productive motility patterns, but apparently lost their ability to glide over long distances (Fig. 4C).

Cellular Microbiology

The aim of the exam was clearly to glide over anything that might seem real.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

It allows the skin to easily glide over deeper structures and extends all over the body [12, 13].

Insights into Imaging

The oil should be hot enough to easily glide over the surface of the wok.

WikiHow

Splashing your face with cold water will help close pores, wash away remaining shaving lather, and allow the block to easily glide over your face.

WikiHow

Using lotions or oils will help your hands glide over your skin.

WikiHow

He does not raise his eyes to the visitor, who glides over with its hands in its pockets.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to glide over" to describe actions that are smooth and seemingly effortless, or when simplifying complex information.

Common error

While acceptable, avoid using "to glide over" excessively in formal writing when greater specificity is needed. Consider more precise verbs to convey the exact nature of the movement or action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to glide over" functions primarily as an infinitive verb phrase, often part of a larger verb construction. Ludwig examples illustrate its use both literally, describing smooth movement, and figuratively, indicating a superficial treatment of a topic. The Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Wiki

31%

Science

23%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to glide over" is a versatile expression that can describe both physical movement and the act of superficially addressing a topic. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct. Its frequency is common, appearing predominantly in news, science, and wiki sources. When using "to glide over", remember to consider if a more precise alternative might be appropriate, particularly in formal writing. Related phrases such as "to skim over" or "to gloss over" can provide nuanced alternatives based on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to gloss over

Emphasizes presenting something superficially to conceal flaws or complexities.

to skim over

Focuses on the act of touching lightly while passing over a surface, suggesting a lack of deep engagement.

to skate over

Draws a direct analogy to ice skating, emphasizing ease and smoothness while potentially avoiding depth.

to brush over

Suggests a light and quick treatment, often implying a lack of thoroughness.

to pass over

Implies ignoring or overlooking something, often intentionally, differing slightly from smooth movement.

to coast over

Suggests a lack of effort, relying on momentum to move across a surface.

to skirt around

Implies avoiding direct engagement with a topic by moving around it.

to float over

Stresses the effortless and weightless nature of the movement.

to skip over

Highlights the act of omitting something while progressing, suggesting a deliberate avoidance.

to touch upon

Indicates a brief mention or exploration of a topic without extensive detail.

FAQs

How can I use "to glide over" in a sentence?

You can use "to glide over" to describe physical movement, as in "The skater seemed "to glide over" the ice effortlessly". It can also mean to treat something superficially, as in "The report seemed "to glide over" the important issues".

What does "to glide over" mean?

The phrase "to glide over" can mean to move smoothly and easily, like a skater on ice. It can also mean to avoid dealing with something in depth, addressing it only superficially.

What are some alternatives to "to glide over"?

Some alternatives include "to skim over", "to pass over", "to gloss over", or "to touch upon", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "to glide over" in formal writing?

While "to glide over" is generally acceptable, consider whether a more precise term would be more appropriate in formal contexts. For example, instead of "to glide over", you might choose "to analyze thoroughly" or "to traverse smoothly" depending on your meaning.