it looks alien

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it looks alien" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that appears strange, unfamiliar, or out of place, often in a visual context. Example: "The new design for the building is so unconventional that it looks alien compared to the surrounding architecture."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Having an explanation for why that alien has an extra arm growing out of its chest will also make it more realistic, rather than just "because it looks alien".

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

That trailer really is as basic as it sounds and looks alien in today's world of rapid cuts.

Vice

It is an ear, but looks alien, as do the ghostly figures in paintings by Markus Amm, Maaike Schoorel and Gino De Dominicis, or the implied supernatural beings in Hao Liang's series of enticing illustrations on silk of Chinese poetry.

The New York Times - Arts

The vast outdoor pool looks alien with its concrete rims and straight lines, yet also strangely comforting.

The Guardian - Travel

To a certain kind of patient, this looks alien, even unwholesome: you might not want such hands, even gloved, tinkering with your brain.

The New Yorker

The liquid fractal landscape denial.of.service creates here looks alien and highly unstable.

Vice

His work on osmosis certainly influenced his opinion that cells were surrounded by essential cell membranes, though his way of describing them looks alien to us today.

Biology Direct

The food prepared for the scene was colored blue so it would look alien.

Wikipedia

Surgery doesn't make you look younger, it makes you look alien.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

There is a moment when Jay, at the height of her fear, just gazes down at some strands of grass that she has placed over her skin, and there is a something dumbstruck in the way Mitchell's camera captures this simple image: it looks weird, alien, almost evil, like everything else around her. Mitchell brings off some sensational setpieces of fear and suspense.

The Guardian - Film

Neon tubes will fill up the ragged fog until it looks like alien exhalations.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it looks alien" to vividly describe something that deviates significantly from the norm, creating a sense of wonder or unease. For example, describe an experimental architectural design as: "The building's design is so avant-garde that "it looks alien" compared to the traditional structures around it."

Common error

Avoid using "it looks alien" too frequently in your writing. Overuse can diminish its impact and make your descriptions feel repetitive. Vary your descriptions with synonyms like "it seems foreign" or "it appears unusual" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it looks alien" functions as a descriptive expression. It's used to convey that something has an unusual or unfamiliar appearance, often evoking a sense of strangeness or otherworldliness. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples where the phrase describes items ranging from landscapes to architectural designs.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it looks alien" is a grammatically correct and versatile expression used to describe something with a strange, unfamiliar, or otherworldly appearance. Ludwig confirms that it is frequently found in news, media, wiki and scientific contexts. While generally neutral in register, more precise language might be preferred for highly formal writing. The related phrases offer alternatives for emphasizing different aspects of strangeness or unfamiliarity. To maintain writing quality, it's best to use it sparingly and vary descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it looks like something from another world

Emphasizes the extraterrestrial quality of the appearance.

it resembles an extraterrestrial object

Uses the term extraterrestrial to describe the resembling.

it seems foreign

Replaces "alien" with a synonym emphasizing unfamiliarity.

it appears unusual

Focuses on the uncommon or atypical nature of something.

it has a bizarre appearance

Highlights the strangeness of the visual aspect.

it strikes as odd

Emphasizes a subjective feeling of peculiarity.

it presents a strange picture

Focuses on the overall impression of something strange.

it gives off an otherworldly vibe

Suggests a sense of being not of this world.

it has an unfamiliar aspect

Highlights the lack of familiarity in its appearance.

it's reminiscent of science fiction

Associates the appearance with the genre of science fiction.

FAQs

How can I use "it looks alien" in a sentence?

You can use "it looks alien" to describe anything that seems strange, unfamiliar, or out of place. For example: "The texture of the newly discovered material was so unlike anything on Earth that "it looks alien"."

What can I say instead of "it looks alien"?

You can use alternatives like "it seems foreign", "it appears unusual", or "it resembles an extraterrestrial object" depending on the context.

Is "it looks alien" formal or informal?

"It looks alien" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for highly formal or scientific writing, more precise or technical language might be preferred.

What does it mean when something "looks alien"?

When something "looks alien", it means it has a strange or unfamiliar appearance, often suggesting it's unlike anything typically encountered or known. It implies a sense of otherworldliness or foreignness.