it does not look that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it does not look that" is not correct as it is incomplete and lacks clarity in written English.
It can be used when expressing doubt or uncertainty about a situation, but it needs to be followed by a more specific clause to convey a complete thought. Example: "It does not look that promising for a successful outcome."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

So even if two families are sharing homes originally built for one, the town wants to make sure that it does not look that way.

The New York Times

But as a liberal internationalist who deeply believes in freedom and human rights, and shared some of the liberal euphoria of the 1990s – though never that hubristic claim for a "single sustainable model" – I must say that it does not look that way in 2011.

The Guardian - Opinion

Granted, it does not look that close.

The Guardian - Sport

Girl: Well, I think apples and pears when they become brown then they are not… There is nothing wrong with it, but you do not really feel like eating it because it does not look that delicious.

BMC Public Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

CRITICS of Turkey say its democracy is under threat, but it doesn't look that way at election time.

The Economist

It doesn't look that way currently.

The Economist

But it doesn't look that way.

The New York Times

Initially, it doesn't look that way.

The New York Times

"Well, it doesn't look that way anymore".

The New York Times

"It doesn't look that way now," Valentine said.

The New York Times - Sports

It doesn't look that way to the dispassionate eye.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always follow the phrase "it does not look that" with a specific adjective or adverb to complete the thought and provide clarity, such as "it does not look that difficult" or "it does not look that promising."

Common error

Avoid using "it does not look that" without specifying what it does not resemble. This omission can lead to ambiguity and confusion. Complete the comparison to ensure your meaning is clear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it does not look that" functions as a qualifier expressing doubt or disbelief about a specific condition or state. As Ludwig AI says, it requires completion to be grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it does not look that" expresses a sense of doubt or disbelief. While understandable, as Ludwig AI reports, it's often grammatically incomplete and needs additional context to be fully correct. It's more common in news and media, and science contexts, but should be used cautiously in formal writing. To improve clarity, consider using alternatives like "it doesn't seem that way" or completing the phrase with an adjective or adverb.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it doesn't seem that way

Changes the verb from 'look' to 'seem' and uses the contraction 'doesn't' for a slightly more informal tone.

it doesn't appear that way

Replaces 'look' with 'appear', offering a more formal and objective observation.

it doesn't suggest that

Shifts the focus to suggestion rather than appearance, implying a lack of evidence.

it doesn't indicate that

Emphasizes the absence of signs or signals pointing towards a particular conclusion.

it doesn't give the impression that

Focuses on the lack of a particular impression being conveyed.

it doesn't have that appearance

Highlights the absence of a specific visual characteristic.

it fails to resemble that

Uses a more formal tone to express a lack of similarity in appearance.

it belies that

Implies that the true nature of something is different from what is apparent.

the evidence does not support that

Shifts the focus to the lack of supporting evidence for a particular claim.

the reality is contrary to that

Emphasizes that the actual situation is the opposite of what might be expected.

FAQs

How can I use "it does not look that" correctly in a sentence?

Ensure the phrase is followed by an adjective or adverb to complete the comparison, for example, "it does not look that difficult" or "it does not look that promising".

What are some alternatives to "it does not look that"?

Consider using phrases like "it doesn't seem that way", "it doesn't appear that way", or "it doesn't suggest that" depending on the context.

Is "it does not look that" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "it does not look that" is often incomplete and requires a following adjective or adverb to be grammatically sound. It's better to say, "it doesn't look that bad".

What's the difference between "it does not look that" and "it does not seem that"?

"It does not look that" refers more directly to visual appearance, whereas "it does not seem that" implies a broader assessment based on available information. Both phrases benefit from being completed with additional context.