are looked upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are looked upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing how people perceive or regard someone or something. Example: "In many cultures, elders are looked upon with great respect and admiration."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

You are looked upon, at best, warily.

The New York Times - Magazine

But they are looked upon as rubbish in our community.

The Guardian - Sport

Understatement and a low-key demeanour are looked upon with favour.

The Economist

Gwadar is today a deserted town where outsiders are looked upon with suspicion.

The Guardian - Opinion

There are no A-levels that are are looked upon less favourably at Staffordshire University.

The Guardian

By way of contrast, presidents who temporize and act cautiously are looked upon as failures: Buchanan, Hoover, Carter.

The New York Times

We sons of the Gulf are looked upon as though we only have reservoirs of oil, not creativity".

The Guardian - Books

"They are looked upon as the champs now and everybody wants a shot at the champ," Simms said.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

They were looked upon.

The New Yorker

We're looked upon as scum.

The Guardian

They looked – and were looked upon – as ragged frontiersmen.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are looked upon" to convey a sense of general perception or reputation, especially when discussing societal views or established opinions. For instance, "Leaders are looked upon to provide guidance during uncertain times."

Common error

Avoid using the active voice when the passive voice with "are looked upon" is more appropriate. Incorrect: "People look upon him as a hero." Correct: "He is looked upon as a hero."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are looked upon" functions as a passive construction. It is used to describe how a subject is perceived or regarded by others. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and commonly used expression. Examples show it used to describe general opinions and societal views.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

29%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are looked upon" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction that describes how something or someone is generally perceived. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is appropriate for expressing established opinions or societal views across a range of contexts, but is most commonly found in news and media, scientific publications, and encyclopedias. When writing, remember to use the correct verb conjugation (is/are) based on the subject and avoid active voice constructions where the passive voice is more fitting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are considered

Uses a more direct verb to indicate evaluation or judgment.

are regarded as

Emphasizes a specific view or opinion held about something or someone.

are viewed as

Focuses on the act of seeing or perceiving something in a particular way.

are deemed

Implies a formal or authoritative judgment.

are thought of as

Highlights a general belief or common understanding.

are perceived as

Focuses on individual or collective interpretations.

are held to be

Suggests a formal or traditional belief.

are characterized as

Describes the defining features or qualities attributed to something.

are recognized as

Emphasizes acknowledgement and acceptance.

are understood as

Focuses on the interpretation and comprehension of something.

FAQs

How can I use "are looked upon" in a sentence?

"Are looked upon" indicates how something or someone is generally perceived or regarded. For example, "Teachers "are looked upon" as role models by their students."

What can I say instead of "are looked upon"?

Alternatives to "are looked upon" include "are considered", "are regarded as", or "are viewed as", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "are looked upon" or "is looked upon"?

Use "are looked upon" for plural subjects and "is looked upon" for singular subjects. For example, "Ideas are looked upon with skepticism" versus "This idea is looked upon with skepticism."

What's the difference between "are looked upon" and "are seen as"?

While both phrases convey perception, "are looked upon" often implies a more established or traditional view, whereas "are seen as" might suggest a more immediate or subjective perception. They "are viewed as" interchangeable in many contexts but not always.