with a glance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "with a glance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a quick look or observation made without much effort or time. Example: "She assessed the room with a glance, noting the disarray before deciding to tidy up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

He restored shattered crystal with a glance.

The New York Times - Arts

Strauss follows suit with a glance behind square for another.

The Guardian - Sport

He alludes to intimacy with a glance over the shoulder or a gently withdrawn hand.

The Economist

Users of Android smartphones can unlock their devices with a glance.

The New York Times

With a glance at his grandson, he added, "Perhaps that has changed now, I don't know".

The New Yorker

The men adored Francis, and he could control them with a glance, a word.

The New Yorker

Where would she be without her firstborn?" With a glance at my watch, I said, "Damn.

The New Yorker

The logic of Mr. Gore's strategy becomes clearer with a glance at the electoral map.

The New York Times

I can't say nothin' about him," she says, and fixes writer with a glance.

The New Yorker

Then, with a glance toward Mr. Spagnola, he said, "I do believe in loyalty".

The New York Times

"The audience's," he said crisply, with a glance back toward the stage.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "with a glance" to efficiently convey a sense of immediacy and effortless observation. It's particularly effective when describing quick assessments or reactions.

Common error

Avoid relying on "with a glance" too frequently in your writing. Vary your descriptions by using synonyms like "at a glance" or "with a quick look" /s/with+a+quick+look to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with a glance" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe the manner in which an action is performed. According to Ludwig, it's a common and grammatically sound expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Sports

14%

Travel

7%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "with a glance" is a grammatically correct and commonly used prepositional phrase that functions as an adverbial modifier. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression effectively conveys a swift and effortless observation, adding a sense of immediacy to descriptions. While versatile, remember to vary your phrasing with alternatives like "at a glance" or "with a quick look" to avoid repetition. Predominantly found in news and media, "with a glance" maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at a glance

This alternative emphasizes the immediacy and ease of understanding something quickly.

with a quick look

This alternative uses more common vocabulary, making it slightly less idiomatic.

with a brief look

This is similar to 'with a quick look' but highlights the shortness of the action.

in a flash

This alternative emphasizes the speed and suddenness of the observation.

at first sight

This phrase suggests an initial impression based on a brief visual assessment.

with a cursory look

This option emphasizes the superficiality of the observation.

with a passing glance

This alternative suggests the glance was not intentional or focused.

with a fleeting look

This option emphasizes how quickly the action passed or happened.

in passing

This alternative suggests a casual observation or comment.

on sight

This alternative emphasizes the action or reaction upon seeing something.

FAQs

How can I use "with a glance" in a sentence?

You can use "with a glance" to describe someone quickly assessing something, such as, "She sized up the situation with a glance."

What can I say instead of "with a glance"?

You can use alternatives like "at a glance", "with a quick look", or "in a flash" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "at a glance" or "with a glance"?

Both "at a glance" and "with a glance" are correct, but they have slightly different nuances. "At a glance" usually refers to understanding something immediately, while "with a glance" describes the act of looking quickly.

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

"With a glance" implies a quick look, while "with a glimpse" suggests a brief, often incomplete, view. A glimpse might be unintentional or obscured, whereas a glance is a more deliberate, though brief, observation.