took a glimpse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "took a glimpse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a brief or quick look at something. Example: "As I walked past the gallery, I took a glimpse of the stunning artwork displayed in the window."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"I looked up and took a glimpse of her eyes, and she looked at me.

The Guardian

Another art historian took a glimpse and sensed that while it had the form of a proper classical statue, it somehow lacked the spirit.

The New York Times - Books

If students took a glimpse at the local newspapers, they would see articles about the retired army general tortured and killed on a road leading out of town last month.

The New York Times

I took a glimpse.

HuffPost

We recently took a glimpse into Beeple's 7-year-long everydays digital illustration experiment, and an in-depth look at the tools of his trade back in 2013.

Vice

From corn mazes to "hacked" Ikea cloning, we took a glimpse behind the veil of the Trusted Photographers, and created a guide to the most interesting shutterbugs and artists at work pushing the boundaries of the future maps of our planet.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

To understand why, let's take a glimpse into the future.

The New York Times

Join us next time when our millennial guinea pig takes a glimpse into her future, and feels anxiety.

University of California, Berkeley

When the real world is light enough, people can take a glimpse of darkness - in the dark of the cinema.

The Guardian

But we still wanted the chance to take a glimpse inside this lake and get an idea of what its inhabitants look like.

The New York Times

Finally, we'll take a glimpse at the next generations of Arabic jazz musicians with New York-based Amir El Saffar or the Trio Joubran.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If the situation involves secrecy or unauthorized viewing, consider alternatives like "had a peek" instead of "took a glimpse".

Common error

Avoid using "took a glimpse" when the context suggests a prolonged or intense look. "Glimpse" implies brevity, so use words like "stared" or "gazed" for longer viewing durations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "took a glimpse" functions as a verbal phrase where "took" is the past tense of the verb "take" and "a glimpse" is a noun phrase acting as the direct object. Ludwig AI confirms this is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

11%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "took a glimpse" describes a brief or quick look at something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and suitable for various contexts, especially in news and media. While versatile, it's best to avoid confusing it with words suggesting longer observation, like "stare". Alternatives such as "glanced at" or "peered at" can offer nuanced differences in meaning. Keep in mind that the term is mostly used in News & Media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

glanced at

Focuses on the action of quickly looking, omitting the sense of initial observation.

peered at

Implies a more focused and intent look, often to see something difficult to discern.

stared briefly at

Indicates a direct and perhaps surprised look, but only for a short time.

had a peek at

Suggests a secretive or unauthorized look.

caught sight of

Emphasizes the accidental or unexpected nature of the view.

spotted briefly

Highlights the visual recognition of something for a short duration.

observed momentarily

Puts emphasis on careful and detail-oriented observation for a short duration.

checked out quickly

Emphasizes a swift assessment or survey of something.

had a fleeting view of

Highlights the short duration of the visual experience.

noted in passing

Conveys a casual observation made while doing something else.

FAQs

How can I use "took a glimpse" in a sentence?

You can use "took a glimpse" to describe a quick or brief look at something. For example: "I "took a glimpse" at the newspaper headlines while waiting in line."

What can I say instead of "took a glimpse"?

You can use alternatives like "glanced at", "peered at", or "had a peek at" depending on the context.

Is "took a glimpse" formal or informal?

"Took a glimpse" is generally considered a neutral expression, suitable for both informal and moderately formal contexts. It is appropriate in news articles, casual conversation, and descriptive writing.

What's the difference between "took a glimpse" and "took a glance"?

While both phrases imply a quick look, "took a glimpse" suggests a briefer and perhaps less intentional look than "took a glance". A glimpse is often fleeting, whereas a glance may involve a slightly more focused observation.