to look through

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to look through" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to examining or searching through something, such as documents, books, or items. Example: "I need to look through the files to find the report we discussed in the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

We need to look through are we locked into a dollar commitment or a particular schedule".

The New York Times

Need to look through volatility.

The Guardian - Business

Have players tried to look through them?

The New York Times - Sports

He turned again to look through the glass wall.

The New Yorker

"Not so," I said, pausing to look through the dictionary.

The New York Times - Travel

They headed outside to look through the telescope.

The New York Times

"You have to look through this and stay the course.

The Guardian - Business

I was always trying to look through the makeup.

The Guardian - Books

People need to take time to look through the window.

The Guardian

Besides, you don't have to look through the eyepiece.

The New York Times - Tech

"We just started to look through it," she said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to look through", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being examined or viewed. For instance, specify if you are looking through documents, a telescope, or someone's perspective.

Common error

Avoid using "to look through" when you mean "to see through", which implies understanding or perceiving the truth behind something, not just physical observation. For example, say "I can see through his lies", not "I can look through his lies".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to look through" primarily functions as an infinitive verb phrase, indicating an action. It describes the act of examining, searching, or viewing something, as exemplified in Ludwig's examples like "We need to look through the data" and "Click here to look through the Bupa Global Challenge gallery."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

20%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to look through" is a versatile infinitive phrase used to describe the act of examining or searching something. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts. It's important to distinguish its meaning from "to see through", which implies understanding rather than physical examination. Remember to specify what is being examined for clarity and avoid overuse in favor of synonyms like "examine" or "scan" when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to examine

Focuses on a detailed inspection or investigation.

to inspect

Emphasizes a careful and critical observation.

to scan

Suggests a quick, comprehensive overview.

to browse

Implies a casual and leisurely examination.

to sift through

Highlights the act of separating or distinguishing elements.

to peruse

Indicates a thorough and attentive reading.

to analyze

Focuses on breaking down and understanding components.

to check

Suggests a verification or confirmation process.

to review

Implies a formal assessment or evaluation.

to see through

Means to understand the hidden truth or motive.

FAQs

How can I use "to look through" in a sentence?

You can use "to look through" when you want to describe the act of examining or searching something. For example: "I need to look through these documents before the meeting", or "He used to look through the telescope at night".

What can I say instead of "to look through"?

You can use alternatives like "to examine", "to inspect", or "to scan" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "to look through" and "to see through"?

"To look through" generally refers to physically examining something, while "to see through" means to understand something that is not obvious. For instance, "I need to look through these files" versus "I can see through his deception".

Is "to look through" formal or informal?

"To look through" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The formality depends more on the surrounding language and the specific situation.