it looks plausible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it looks plausible" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that something appears to be reasonable or believable based on the information available. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, it looks plausible that the theory could be correct."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

But it looks plausible.

The Economist

It looks plausible.

The Guardian - Arts

On the surface it looks plausible.

Independent

I'm no lawyer, but it looks plausible that the new DHS guidelines accord, more or less, with past practice.All that said, it appears that Mr Obama's own view on this matter may have recently evolved.

The Economist

On the surface it looks plausible, because, by taking farm animals off the land and cramming them into cages and confinement you are putting an awful lot of animals into a small space.

The Guardian

There's a life-enhancing quality about his designs: if streets and buildings, while not reproduced with photographic accuracy, are instantly recognisable, it's because, he says, he likes to understand the structure of whatever he is drawing, so that his version of it looks plausible.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

To family and friends, who watched me graduate with honors, then proceed to party my way across the globe with my camera, I doubt it looked plausible in the least.

Huffington Post

But after weeks in which it appeared she would secure an absolute majority in the first round of voting, it now looks plausible that José Serra, her main rival, may force her into a run-off.First there were scandals.

The Economist

Not only does it not look plausible, it will also set expectations for them that will be next to impossible to meet.

WikiHow

As TRPM7 has a unique function for cellular Mg2+ homeostasis [ 15, 16] its wide distribution in all tested tissues looks plausible.

BMC Genomics

Frankly unless someone videos her doing it it's going to be hard to absolutely verify, though her Tweetstream (e.g. "just had my tea now its a game of dominos with my friends") looks plausible.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it looks plausible" when you want to convey that something seems reasonable or believable at first glance, but you may not have all the information needed to confirm it definitively. It's useful in scenarios where a hypothesis or explanation appears promising.

Common error

Avoid using "it looks plausible" as a definitive statement of truth. It implies a degree of uncertainty, so don't use it when you have concrete evidence or proof. Overstating your confidence when the evidence is only suggestive can weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it looks plausible" primarily functions as an evaluative expression. It indicates that something appears to be believable or reasonable based on initial observation or available information. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it looks plausible" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express that something seems believable or reasonable based on the available information, without asserting it as definitively true. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While fairly common, it is especially suited to contexts where a preliminary evaluation is needed, such as in news reporting, scientific discussions, and professional communications. Remember that while "it looks plausible" suggests initial credibility, it does not equate to certainty, and overstating confidence should be avoided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it seems credible

Replaces "looks" with "seems", emphasizing an impression rather than a visual assessment of plausibility.

it appears likely

Substitutes "looks plausible" with "appears likely", focusing on the probability aspect.

it sounds reasonable

Changes "looks" to "sounds", suggesting the plausibility is based on information received aurally.

it is believable

Replaces "looks plausible" with a more direct statement of believability.

it is conceivable

Shifts the focus to the possibility of something being imagined or understood.

it is a possibility

Expresses that something is possible but without guaranteeing or affirming that it is the case.

it could be true

Indicates uncertainty while still suggesting the potential for truth.

it holds water

Uses an idiomatic expression meaning something seems valid or logical.

it stands to reason

Implies the plausibility is derived from logical deduction.

it bears thinking about

Suggests something deserves consideration due to its potential validity.

FAQs

When should I use the phrase "it looks plausible"?

Use "it looks plausible" when something appears reasonable or believable based on the available information, but you can't be completely certain. It's suitable when you want to express an initial assessment that something seems promising or likely.

What are some alternatives to saying "it looks plausible"?

You can use alternatives like "it seems credible", "it appears likely", or "it sounds reasonable" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it looks plausible" formal or informal?

"It looks plausible" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "it appears likely" might be preferred in academic or professional writing.

How does "it looks plausible" differ from "it is plausible"?

"It looks plausible" implies a preliminary assessment based on initial observation, whereas "it is plausible" suggests a higher degree of confidence based on more thorough evaluation. The former is tentative, while the latter is more affirmative.