finally looked up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "finally looked up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when someone has taken the time to search for or discover information after a period of not doing so. Example: "After hours of searching for the answer, she finally looked up the information online."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Cheever finally looked up.

The New Yorker

Josiah finally looked up and spoke, his blue eyes bright.

The New York Times - Magazine

When he finally looked up, she burst into tears.

The New York Times - Magazine

Aaron Ramsey, in space finally, looked up and found Bale.

The Guardian - Sport

When He finally looked up, there were tears in His eyes.

The New Yorker

When he finally looked up, his first thought was Oh, shit!

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Things are finally looking up for Hillary Thorogood.

The New York Times

So are things finally looking up?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Now aged 72, are things finally looking up for Omar Sharif?

The Guardian - Film

Here in the central German state of Thuringia, things are finally looking up.

The New York Times

He drifted in and out of consciousness, finally looking up at Amadeo.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "finally looked up" when you want to emphasize a change in focus, either physically or metaphorically, after a period of delay or concentration on something else. It adds a sense of resolution or shift in perspective.

Common error

Avoid using "finally looked up" if the action of looking up happens immediately or without any prior period of focus on something else. The 'finally' implies a preceding delay or period of anticipation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "finally looked up" functions as a verb phrase indicating a completed action of directing one's gaze upwards after a period of looking down or elsewhere. This is supported by Ludwig which confirms its correct and usable structure.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "finally looked up" is a grammatically sound and commonly used verb phrase. As Ludwig points out, its proper use relies on the implication of a preceding delay, or anticipation. Predominantly found in neutral contexts such as news and media, its purpose is to illustrate a shift in visual focus and attention. While alternatives exist, such as "eventually gazed upwards", the specific nuance of resolution after a period of anticipation is key to the effective use of "finally looked up".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

eventually gazed upwards

Focuses on the act of looking up after a period, but uses more formal vocabulary.

subsequently glanced up

Highlights the sequence of events, with 'subsequently' indicating a following action.

at last raised their eyes

Emphasizes the delay before the action of looking up, using a more literary tone.

sooner or later, they looked up

Highlights the inevitability of the action happening at some point.

after a while, glanced upwards

Indicates the passing of time before the action occurred, using a less intense verb.

in the end, searched for

Shifts the focus to finding information rather than a physical action.

eventually found out

Similar to 'ultimately discovered', but with a more informal tone.

ultimately discovered

Highlights the act of discovery after a period of searching or not knowing.

in due course, searched

Focuses on the searching aspect, indicating it happened after a certain time had passed.

in the long run, discovered

Emphasizes the prolonged period before the discovery was made.

FAQs

How can I use "finally looked up" in a sentence?

You can use "finally looked up" to describe a physical action, like "He finally looked up from his book", or to describe discovering information, such as "She finally looked up the answer online".

What's the difference between "finally looked up" and "eventually looked up"?

"Finally looked up" implies a sense of resolution or relief after a period of waiting or searching, while "eventually looked up" simply indicates that the action happened at some point.

What can I say instead of "finally looked up" when referring to information?

You can use alternatives like "ultimately discovered", "eventually found out", or "in the end searched for" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "finally looks up" instead of "finally looked up"?

The phrase "finally looks up" is acceptable, but it refers to an action happening in the present tense. It is only correct if you want to indicate the action happening now. If you are talking about an action in the past, use "finally looked up".