: Re: Different ways to say "I looked"? I find myself overusing phrases like "his eyes flickered to (object/person)" and "he shifted his gaze to (object/person)". I use the words 'eyes' and 'gaze'

@Dunderdale623

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Consider the possibilty that your problem isn't a shortage of verbs, but an overuse of the concept of characters looking at things. Maybe you are too intent on having your PoV character guide the reader's focus with his actual eyes. Describing the action of looking, doesn't always give the reader something useful. Perhaps you also need to find new ways to direct our attention, or just jump with confidence between your subjects.
Some basic examples:
Instead of these...

He sat in silence at the campfire. His gaze sank through the flames to Anna on the opposite side.
He stepped into the bar and took a glance around. The locals did not look impressed with his fashion choices.
She passed him the letter. He looked at it and recognised his father's handwriting.

Try these...

He sat in silence at the campfire. The firelight played on Anna's face.
He stepped into the bar and killed the atmosphere stone dead. Something about his fashion choices seemed to cause the locals some discomfort.
She passed him the letter. The handwriting was as familiar as his own.

Okay it doesn't exactly answer your question, but it does addess your concern, 'I find myself overusing...'

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