Looks surprising

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Looks surprising" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something appears unexpected or astonishing in a particular context. Example: "The final score of the game looks surprising given the team's previous performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Even so, their relatively sanguine response to the Macondo disaster looks surprising.

The New York Times

The high performance of the program for the logD7.4 prediction looks surprising, because this property also depends on ionization constants pKa.

Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

"The only thing to me which looks surprising is they have not considered [summer heat] at the moment of the vote".

BBC

Power Lace's enterprising creator is already on the second generation of his self-tightening shoes and it looks surprising similar to Nike's just-granted patent — complete with heel sensor.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Who look surprising.

Huffington Post

And more than that, we should exercise our right to look surprising.

Huffington Post

New Zealand 146 all out Well, a decision by Ganguly that looked surprising at the start of play has been totally vindicated.

The Guardian - Sport

Given the fact that projects of the field sample consisted of complex, largely high-technology projects, it might look surprising that a relatively large number of project evaluations are based on either primarily quantitative or qualitative methods.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

The positive β for Survivors' ACS loss, meaning that survivors tend to die faster after high levels of disturbance, may look surprising because this goes against the growth result.

Forest Ecosystems

Craig Holman, government affairs lobbyist at Public Citizen, said this might look surprising at first glance.

Huffington Post

While the comments might seem surprising, looking at Cameron's resume tells you they aren't.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "looks surprising" to express a reaction to something that deviates from expectations. It is suitable for expressing mild astonishment or curiosity, as Ludwig AI pointed out.

Common error

While "looks surprising" is acceptable, overuse in formal writing can weaken your message. In professional or academic contexts, consider alternatives like "appears astonishing" or "seems unexpected" for a more refined tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looks surprising" functions as a descriptive expression. It typically modifies a situation or event, indicating that the visual impression or outcome is unexpected. Ludwig showcases how it's used to convey astonishment or mild shock.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "looks surprising" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that signifies something appearing unexpected or astonishing. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's most frequently encountered in News & Media and Scientific contexts, though it maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse writings. While acceptable, more formal alternatives may strengthen professional communications. It’s important to note that while the phrase itself is valid, overuse in formal contexts might dilute the impact of your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Appears astonishing

This alternative directly substitutes "looks" with "appears" and "surprising" with "astonishing", emphasizing the level of amazement.

Seems unexpected

This alternative replaces "surprising" with "unexpected", highlighting the lack of anticipation.

Strikes as odd

This alternative conveys a sense of peculiarity or strangeness, rather than simple surprise.

Gives a shock

This alternative focuses on the immediate impact of something unexpected, emphasizing the jolt it provides.

Is quite startling

This alternative emphasizes the abrupt and alarming nature of the surprise.

Raises eyebrows

This alternative uses a more subtle, idiomatic expression to suggest mild surprise or skepticism.

Defies expectation

This alternative highlights the way something contradicts what was predicted or anticipated.

Is rather baffling

This alternative emphasizes the puzzling and confusing nature of the surprising thing.

Feels counterintuitive

This alternative applies when something seems to contradict established logic or common sense.

Presents an enigma

This alternative suggests that something surprising poses a mystery or is difficult to understand.

FAQs

How can I use "Looks surprising" in a sentence?

You can use "Looks surprising" to describe something that appears unexpected or astonishing, such as "The company's sudden success looks surprising given its previous financial struggles."

What can I say instead of "Looks surprising"?

You can use alternatives like "appears astonishing", "seems unexpected", or "strikes as odd" depending on the context.

Is "Looks surprising" formal or informal?

"Looks surprising" is generally considered neutral and can be used in various contexts, though more formal alternatives may be preferred in academic or professional writing.

Which is correct, "Looks surprising" or "Sounds surprising"?

Both "Looks surprising" and "Sounds surprising" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Looks surprising" is used when referring to visual appearances, while "Sounds surprising" is used when referring to auditory information.