it looks awkward

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it looks awkward" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that appears uncomfortable, clumsy, or out of place in a particular context. Example: "The way he stood during the presentation looks awkward, making it hard for the audience to focus on his message."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

But in the flesh it looks awkward: its bonnet and vast sweptback windscreen too big for its body, like one of those egg-headed dogs Princess Anne is so fond of.

The Guardian - Tech

Sometimes it looks awkward, but it feels very comfortable for me.

The New York Times - Sports

New Jersey is a teenage state: it looks awkward in places, has questionable ethics from time to time and plays perennial underdog to New York.

The New York Times - Books

I haven't personally tried out the Glov (as it just launched for pre-order on Indiegogo), but I can only assume that it's a bit like that: It looks awkward at first, but it feels really good once you get down to it.

TechCrunch

The long-legged, 3-foot tall bird is the only member of the stork family that breeds in the U.S. Formerly on the endangered list, it was downgraded to threatened in 2014; it looks awkward on land but soars like a raptor in the air.

Los Angeles Times

This will also improve your drawings over time, so don't worry if it looks awkward or strange in the beginning.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

It looked awkward, but when he hits the ball it becomes the perfect form".

The Guardian - Sport

"But when we tried it and put it into this created fairy-tale world, it looked awkward," he said.

The New York Times

Navalny's real talent is in revealing the system's weaknesses and blind spots, and in making it look awkward and unsure of itself.

The New Yorker

He reached across - the chrome chair, although it looked awkward, was comfortable and supportive - and put his hand heavily on her leg above the knee.

The Guardian - Books

When the border arrived, however, the paper was a dark reddish brown above the swag design, mimicking a shadow, and it looked awkward.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it looks awkward", ensure the subject is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "It looks awkward", specify "The new design looks awkward".

Common error

Avoid using "it looks awkward" without a clear subject of reference. Instead of saying "It looks awkward, doesn't it?", clarify what "it" refers to for better clarity. This prevents confusion and makes your statement more precise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it looks awkward" primarily functions as a subjective assessment or observation, where 'it' serves as a placeholder for a noun or situation, 'looks' acts as a copular verb linking the subject to the adjective 'awkward'. Ludwig provides numerous examples where the phrase expresses a negative perception of something's appearance.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it looks awkward" is a commonly used phrase for expressing a subjective opinion about something's appearance, indicating that it seems clumsy, uncomfortable, or out of place. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides many examples across various contexts. While versatile, clarity is important, so ensure the subject is well-defined to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases such as "it seems out of place" or "it appears clumsy" offer subtle variations in meaning. Though the phrase is suitable for a range of contexts, it's essential to use it judiciously, as its impact can be subjective and dependent on the specific situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it appears clumsy

Changes the verb from "looks" to "appears" and replaces "awkward" with "clumsy" for similar meaning.

it seems out of place

Uses "seems" instead of "looks" and replaces "awkward" with "out of place" emphasizing the lack of suitability.

it feels unnatural

Shifts the focus from visual appearance to the feeling or impression, using "unnatural" to convey discomfort.

it gives an uneasy impression

Emphasizes the feeling caused by the visual, using "uneasy impression" to describe the effect.

it presents poorly

Focuses on the presentation aspect, indicating a lack of visual appeal or harmony.

it comes across strange

Uses "comes across" to indicate perception and "strange" as a substitute for "awkward".

it has an odd appearance

Replaces "looks" with "has an appearance" and uses "odd" to describe the unusual visual.

it's visually jarring

Highlights the disruptive visual effect, using "visually jarring" to describe the disharmony.

it strikes as forced

Conveys that something does not appear natural or spontaneous, suggesting a contrived quality.

it's ungainly to see

Focuses on the lack of grace or elegance in the visual, highlighting its clumsiness.

FAQs

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

You can use "it looks awkward" to describe something that appears clumsy, uncomfortable, or out of place. For example: "The way he's holding the guitar, "it looks awkward"".

What are some alternatives to "it looks awkward"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it seems out of place", "it appears clumsy", or "it feels unnatural", depending on the specific context.

Is "it looks awkwardly" grammatically correct?

No, "it looks awkwardly" is not grammatically correct. "Awkward" is an adjective that modifies the noun implied by "it looks". The adverb form, "awkwardly", would not be appropriate in this construction.

What's the difference between "it looks awkward" and "it seems awkward"?

"It looks awkward" refers specifically to a visual impression, while "it seems awkward" suggests a more general feeling or perception that may not be solely based on appearance. Both are valid, but their meanings have slightly different nuances.