while looking at

USAGE SUMMARY

"while looking at" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is taking place simultaneously with looking. Example: She read the book while looking at the pictures.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I parked and sat for a while looking at it.

The Guardian - Books

We stood there for a while, looking at each other.

The Guardian - Books

Hemingway was silent for a while, looking at it; finally he turned away.

The New Yorker

I thought of this quote while looking at Paul's paintings.

The New Yorker

I leaf through it while looking at the ceiling.

The New York Times - Books

Want 2 earn $$$ from home while looking at my videos?

The New Yorker

I can think he's great except while looking at his pictures.

The New Yorker

Try your best not to read the sentence while looking at it.

Independent

I first became perplexed while looking at a thickly knit mauve cardigan.

The New York Times

I'm not picky, but I cannot write while looking at a toilet.

The New Yorker

"While looking at past data breaches, I've been struck with how many are preventable".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "while looking at" to clearly indicate that an action is happening simultaneously with the act of observing something. It helps establish a direct and immediate connection between the two events.

Common error

Avoid using "while looking at" to describe events that happen one after the other. "While looking at the data, the analyst made a decision" implies simultaneous actions. Instead, clarify sequence: "After looking at the data, the analyst made a decision."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "while looking at" functions as a conjunction introducing a clause of time, indicating an action performed simultaneously with the act of looking. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It connects two related actions, showing that they occur at the same time.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "while looking at" is a useful conjunction to indicate that two actions occur concurrently, as Ludwig AI confirms. While grammatically correct and versatile, it's most frequently found in news articles, scientific publications, and wiki pages. Related phrases, such as "as one observes" or "during observation of", can offer alternative ways to express simultaneous actions. When using "while looking at", ensure you're describing simultaneous events rather than sequential ones. Keeping this in mind will help avoid common errors and enhance the clarity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as one observes

This alternative uses a more formal tone by employing "observes" instead of "looking".

whilst viewing

"Whilst" and "viewing" add a slightly archaic or literary feel to the phrase.

during observation of

This option uses a noun-based construction, which shifts the emphasis to the act of observation itself.

upon inspecting

"Inspecting" suggests a careful and detailed form of looking.

as you gaze upon

This alternative suggests a prolonged and perhaps appreciative way of looking.

on examination of

Similar to "inspecting", this phrase emphasizes a methodical and analytical viewing.

when contemplating

This phrase implies a deeper, more thoughtful form of looking.

with a view to

This alternative implies looking with a specific purpose or intention.

seeing as

A shortened version that may be more appropriate for informal contexts.

in light of what's visible

This phrase adds a sense of consideration based on what can be seen.

FAQs

How can I use "while looking at" in a sentence?

You can use "while looking at" to describe two actions happening simultaneously, such as "She smiled "while looking at" the photograph" or "He explained the process "while looking at" the diagram".

What are some alternatives to "while looking at"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "as one observes", "during observation of", or "whilst viewing".

Is there a more formal way to say "while looking at"?

Yes, in more formal contexts, you might use phrases such as "during observation of" or "upon inspecting", depending on the level of detail involved in the act of looking.

What's the difference between "while looking at" and "after looking at"?

"While looking at" indicates that two actions are happening simultaneously, for example, "He made notes "while looking at" the screen". "After looking at" indicates that one action happened after the other, for example, "After looking at the screen, he made notes".