while browsing through

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "while browsing through" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an action that is happening while someone is engaging in an activity. For example, "I found lots of interesting items while browsing through the store."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

I've spent most of this morning giggling to myself while browsing through Hark!

The New Yorker

Regular readers of The Times's Dining section will recognize some familiar names while browsing through this season's new cookbooks.

The New York Times - Books

"Who's Nancy dell'Olio?" a teenager asked me the other day, while browsing through the The Lost Diaries.

The Guardian - Books

By Lucy Tang April 28, 2010 I've spent most of this morning giggling to myself while browsing through Hark!

The New Yorker

And you cannot experience the same sense of discovery gazing at a Web page that you can while browsing through shop shelves, he said.

The New York Times

While browsing through the supermarkets of Paris I am often struck by the sheer volume of Sancerre that is stocked and sold.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

The latter feature allows users to watch a video while also browsing through other parts of the application.

TechCrunch

A while back I was browsing through the official Web site of the New Jersey judiciary, www.judiciary.state.nj.us.nj.us

The New York Times

The new Google Play Store ads will only be available through Universal Ad Campaigns, Google says, and are designed to reach customers while they're browsing through the Play Store looking for something new to install and try.

TechCrunch

And while you're browsing through a store, you can also click a plus sign to begin to track any item found on that retailer's website within Nifti's app.

TechCrunch

Shadow noticed Van Der Veen's thick, distinctive Dutch accent while he was browsing through the lyrics.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "while browsing through" to convey a sense of casual exploration or discovery, suggesting the person isn't necessarily looking for something specific but is open to finding something of interest.

Common error

While versatile, "while browsing through" can sound too informal in highly professional or academic writing. Opt for more precise verbs like "examining" or "reviewing" when a more rigorous investigation is implied.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "while browsing through" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying the main verb of a sentence to indicate the time and manner in which an action occurs. Ludwig confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "while browsing through" is a common and versatile adverbial phrase used to describe a concurrent action of casually exploring or examining something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in News & Media. While highly frequent, writers should consider the formality of the context and opt for more precise alternatives in professional or academic settings. Common errors involve overusing the phrase when a more specific verb would be appropriate. Remember that browsing suggests a lack of specific intent, differentiating it from searching.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as i flipped through

Emphasizes the act of quickly turning pages.

whilst leafing through

Uses "leafing" to emphasize the act of flipping pages, often in a book or magazine.

as i glanced through

Replaces "browsing" with a more direct verb, implying a quicker look.

while skimming through

Indicates reading quickly and superficially.

as i perused

Replaces "browsing" with a more formal and literary verb.

in the course of reviewing

Emphasizes a systematic and thorough examination.

during my exploration of

More formal and emphasizes discovery and investigation.

as i scanned

Implies a quick and often superficial examination.

as i looked over

Suggests a general inspection or review.

as i checked out

More informal; suggests casually inspecting something.

FAQs

How can I use "while browsing through" in a sentence?

You can use "while browsing through" to describe a casual activity of looking at something without a specific goal. For example, "While browsing through the store, I found a great deal on shoes."

What are some alternatives to "while browsing through"?

Alternatives include phrases like "as I glanced through", "whilst leafing through", or "as I scanned", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "while browsing through" suitable for formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "while browsing through" might be too informal for highly formal or academic contexts. Consider using more precise and professional alternatives.

What's the difference between "while browsing through" and "while searching for"?

"While browsing through" implies a casual, undirected look, whereas "while searching for" suggests a focused effort to find something specific.