with a quick look

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "with a quick look" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a brief examination or glance at something. Example: "With a quick look at the report, I was able to identify the main issues that needed addressing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Another squirms; Ms Dantes silences him with a quick look.

The Economist

And the chief reason for that is obvious, with a quick look around any western European capital today: immigration.

The Economist

And flight attendants are left in a tricky spot, trying to determine with a quick look whether a passenger has the required physical abilities.

The New York Times

People love to say that we're unknowable, but I've learned that you can change this perception with a quick "Look at my home!" interview.

The New Yorker

With a quick look upfield, Juninho passed to Edson Buddle, who streaked through the Red Bulls' defense to score the only goal.

The New York Times - Sports

With a quick look around at the empty shop shelves, he decided it might be better to bring in goods instead.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Also insightful: @whereistom answering @RickWilliams's question - "With HTML5, can you add queue points in the video, and then perform actions (e.g. scripts) when you hit those points?" with taking a quick look at this link I don't see why not?

The Guardian - Tech

But in the 1973 solo "Sphinx" she becomes a mysterious creature without losing herself, with just a quick look to the side, an anguished tilting back of her head and a practiced settling onto the floor in the Sphinx's familiar pose.

The New York Times - Arts

But I wanted to share with you a quick look at the evening and the lovely place where the USA entertains in Bulgaria.

Huffington Post

But when we saw the big guy - but not the small guy who was just warming up - was about to hit his limit - with just a quick look between us, we ended the session at the last weight the big guy could handle.

Huffington Post

It's OK to give the notes or the outline you have with you a quick look to keep your speech on-track.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "with a quick look" to introduce an observation or assessment based on minimal inspection, emphasizing the speed and brevity of the examination.

Common error

Avoid using "with a quick look" when you've conducted an in-depth analysis. This phrase implies a superficial assessment, not a comprehensive review.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with a quick look" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, adverb, or adjective. It indicates the manner in which an action is performed, specifically emphasizing the brevity and speed of the visual assessment. Ludwig provides several examples demonstrating its versatility.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "with a quick look" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a brief visual assessment. While relatively uncommon, according to Ludwig, it appears across various contexts, especially in news and media. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is typically used to preface an observation made without thorough scrutiny. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "a cursory examination". When using this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects the depth of your assessment to avoid misleading your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at a glance

Omits the preposition "with" and uses a noun phrase to convey immediacy.

with a brief glance

Substitutes "quick" with "brief", maintaining the meaning of a short look.

a cursory examination

Replaces the descriptive phrase with a more formal and technical term.

with a passing glance

Conveys a sense of casually observing something.

upon a swift observation

Replaces 'look' with 'observation', implying an active assessment.

with a fleeting glimpse

Highlights the transient nature of the look.

a rapid assessment

Focuses on the act of evaluation rather than just seeing.

with a mere peek

Suggests a secretive or unauthorized look.

a fast check

Informal, focusing on the speed of the inspection.

with a hasty scan

Implies a hurried and less thorough examination.

FAQs

How can I use "with a quick look" in a sentence?

You can use "with a quick look" to describe a brief assessment or observation, such as, "With a quick look at the patient, the nurse determined their condition wasn't critical".

What's a more formal alternative to "with a quick look"?

For a more formal alternative, consider using "a cursory examination" or "a brief assessment" depending on the context.

How does "with a brief glance" differ from "with a quick look"?

The phrases are very similar, but "with a brief glance" may slightly emphasize the visual aspect, while "with a quick look" may imply a slightly more considered, though still brief, appraisal.

Is it appropriate to use "with a quick look" in academic writing?

While acceptable, using more precise language like "after a cursory review" or "upon initial observation" can enhance the formality and clarity of academic writing.