how this looks

USAGE SUMMARY

"how this looks" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used as part of a sentence to describe the appearance or visual impression of something. Example: "I am not sure how this looks. Can you take a picture and show me?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Let's see how this looks".

The Guardian - Film

I think they don't realize how this looks".

The New York Times

Then he said, his voice tense, "I don't like how this looks".

The New Yorker

Is Cameron blind to how this looks, or does he simply not care?

The Guardian - Opinion

Imagine how this looks to the rest of the world: Timothy McVeigh killed 168 of his fellow citizens.

The New York Times

And maybe they decide to coast a little bit...I suppose we'll just have to come back and see how this looks in another few quarters.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

(The attached spreadsheet shows how this looked after estimating to 7 decimal places).

The New York Times

Our first post today, a bit more than 10 hours ago, talked about how this looked, on paper, like a dull day.

The New York Times

I'm immensely proud of how this look turned out.

Vice

To find out how this look came together, visit 3M's Smart Projects hub.

Huffington Post

See Miranda Hobbes on how this look can go too far.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "how this looks" when you want to discuss the visual impression or appearance of something, especially when evaluating its suitability or impact.

Common error

Avoid using "how this looks" when you actually mean to express your subjective judgment or opinion about something's aesthetic appeal. Instead of "I don't like how this looks", try "I don't like the way this looks" or "I don't find this aesthetically pleasing".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how this looks" functions as a nominal relative clause, often serving as the object of a verb or preposition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it introduces a clause that describes the appearance or visual impression of something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "how this looks" is a common and grammatically sound way to discuss the visual appearance or impression of something. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's often used to assess the suitability or impact of an appearance, particularly in News & Media contexts. When writing, consider the subtle difference between assessing an appearance with "how this looks" versus providing a description with "what this looks like". Also, be mindful of the register; while generally neutral, more formal alternatives may be preferable in academic or scientific contexts. Remember to ensure that the expression of subjective feelings or opinions are clear and not confused with "how this looks" as an assessment of appearance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how this is perceived

Emphasizes subjective understanding rather than objective appearance.

the impression this gives

Highlights the overall feeling or idea conveyed.

the way this comes across

Focuses on how something is received or understood.

what this appears to be

Focuses on the apparent nature of something, rather than just its visual aspect.

how this presents itself

Highlights the manner in which something is shown or displayed.

what this seems like

Indicates an initial assessment or impression.

the visual presentation of this

Focuses specifically on the visual aspects of something.

the aesthetics of this

Emphasizes the visual appeal or artistic qualities.

the semblance of this

Refers to the outward appearance, often implying a contrast with reality.

the outward show of this

Emphasizes the external display or facade.

FAQs

How can I use "how this looks" in a sentence?

You can use "how this looks" to inquire about or comment on the visual appearance or impression of something. For example, "We have to be careful "how this looks" to the public".

What's a more formal alternative to "how this looks"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "the visual presentation", "the aesthetic appearance", or "the perceived image" instead of "how this looks".

Is it correct to say "how this is looking" instead of "how this looks"?

While "how this is looking" isn't grammatically incorrect, "how this looks" is generally more concise and commonly used. The progressive form might be suitable if describing a changing appearance.

When should I use "what this looks like" instead of "how this looks"?

"What this looks like" is suitable when asking for a description of something's appearance. "How this looks" is better when assessing the impact or impression created by the appearance.