is looking promising

USAGE SUMMARY

"is looking promising" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used when you are expressing optimism or hope about a possible outcome. For example, "The early results of the new drug trial are looking promising."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

It is hard to say adios but this semester is looking promising.

Cornell University

I'm like the players and don't like looking more than the next match ahead but it is looking promising for Murray and a big, big day come Sunday.

Independent

MMO's are almost impossible to judge on Beta first impressions with so many features still to be implemented, but MoP is looking promising so far.

The Guardian - Tech

He's only avoided the cut once in four appearances at the Open, but this is looking promising for the US-based Scot.

The Guardian - Sport

Meanwhile, April is looking promising on both sides of the Atlantic.

Independent

The ISO PDF/A-3 format is looking promising as a solution for some problems including your spreadsheet example.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Things are looking promising.

The Guardian - Film

The signs are looking promising.

The Guardian

Closer to home, Scotland's five ski areas have had three good seasons in a row, and with a white covering in late October it's looking promising for this winter, too.

Independent

The Cottagers were a goal ahead and things were looking promising against West Ham, when Javier Hernández punched home a goal and changed the course of this game, which ended in a 3-1 defort for Claudio Ranieri's side.

The Guardian - Sport

I think it's looking promising this season".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is looking promising" to convey optimism about future developments, but ensure the context provides specific reasons for this positive outlook.

Common error

Avoid using "is looking promising" as a standalone statement without providing supporting details or evidence, which can make the statement seem unsubstantiated or overly optimistic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is looking promising" functions as a verb phrase that describes a situation or prospect as having the potential for a positive outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is looking promising" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to express optimism about potential future outcomes. It finds frequent use in News & Media, Academia, and Science contexts. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability. While versatile, it's best used with specific supporting details to substantiate the positive outlook. Consider alternatives like "shows potential" or "holds promise" to vary your phrasing. The phrase carries a neutral tone suitable for various professional communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shows potential

Replaces the descriptive "is looking promising" with a more concise statement of potential.

holds promise

Uses a more formal and slightly less direct expression of potential.

appears favorable

Shifts the focus to the apparent conditions being advantageous.

indicates a good outlook

Uses a more explanatory phrase indicating a positive future.

suggests a positive future

Highlights the suggestion of a favorable outcome.

things are shaping up well

Uses a more idiomatic expression to describe the positive development of a situation.

the situation is encouraging

Focuses on the encouraging nature of the current situation.

prospects are bright

Emphasizes the brightness and positivity of the future prospects.

the forecast is optimistic

Uses the term 'forecast' to suggest an informed prediction of a positive outcome.

early signs are positive

Highlights that initial indications point towards a favorable result.

FAQs

How can I use "is looking promising" in a sentence?

You can use "is looking promising" to express optimism about a future outcome. For example, "The initial results of the experiment "are looking promising"".

What are some alternatives to "is looking promising"?

Alternatives include "shows potential", "holds promise", or "appears favorable", depending on the context.

Is "is looking promising" formal or informal?

"Is looking promising" is generally suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives like "holds promise" might be preferred in some situations.

What does it mean when something "is looking promising"?

It means that the initial signs or indications suggest a positive outcome or successful development is likely.