Look up to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Look up to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express admiration or respect for someone, often a role model or authority figure. Example: "Many young athletes look up to professional players for inspiration and guidance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Everyone wants someone to look up to!

WikiHow

"We look up to him.

The New York Times - Sports

"I really look up to him.

The New York Times - Sports

"He needed men to look up to".

The New York Times

He's someone I look up to".

Independent

Who else do you look up to?

Independent

Whose work do you look up to?

The New York Times

Guys look up to him".

The New York Times - Sports

They look up to us".

The New York Times

Inmates look up to them.

The New York Times

People would look up to him.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your vocabulary; while "look up to" is common, consider using synonyms like "admire" or "respect" to add nuance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "look up to" when you mean to physically look upwards. Ensure the context clearly expresses admiration or respect, not just the direction of gaze.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "look up to" functions as a phrasal verb, expressing the action of admiring or respecting someone. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts, confirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Wiki

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "look up to" effectively conveys admiration and respect for an individual, often viewing them as a role model. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples from diverse sources, indicating its prevalence across various contexts, especially in News & Media and Wiki. While synonyms like "admire" and "respect" offer alternative expressions, it's crucial to ensure that the context is clear to avoid confusion with the literal action of looking upwards. With a neutral register, "look up to" is a versatile phrase suitable for both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

admire

This is a direct synonym, implying respect and approval.

respect

This suggests holding someone in high regard due to their qualities or achievements.

idolize

This implies a higher level of admiration, often bordering on worship.

venerate

This suggests deep respect and reverence, often for someone with age or wisdom.

revere

This indicates profound respect and admiration.

hold in high esteem

This expresses a formal way of showing respect and admiration.

think highly of

This suggests a positive opinion and admiration for someone.

regard with admiration

This is a more descriptive way to express admiration.

have great respect for

This emphasizes the respect aspect of the admiration.

esteem

This is a formal term for high regard and respect.

FAQs

How can I use "look up to" in a sentence?

You can use "look up to" to describe admiring or respecting someone. For example, "Many children "look up to" their parents as role models."

What is a good alternative to "look up to"?

Alternatives include "admire", "respect", or "idolize", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean to "look up to" someone?

To "look up to" someone means to admire and respect them, often viewing them as a role model or someone worthy of emulation.

Is it correct to say "I'm looking up to him"?

Yes, "I'm looking up to him" is grammatically correct and means that you admire and respect that person.