it looks that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it looks that" is not grammatically correct or commonly used in written English.
However, a more appropriate phrase to use in its place might be "it appears that," which is both grammatically correct and commonly used in written English. For example, you could say, "It appears that the forecast will be sunny for the rest of the week."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The fact that it looks that way is critical to how dangerous it is.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I've gone in for the challenge and I don't think I tried to be dirty but it if it looks that way on TV then I'll have to hold my hands up".

Independent

It looks that pretty.

The New York Times

Maybe not, but it looks that way.

The New York Times

So far, it looks that way.

The New York Times

Or at least it looks that way.

The New Yorker

It looks that way to us.

The New York Times

It looks that way, it sounds that way.

Independent

It looks that way from the University of West London.

The Guardian

Will the low-fare trend spread there as well?At first glance, it looks that way.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The problem is that it looks that way to a BIV, too.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for grammatically correct alternatives like "it seems that" or "it appears that" to maintain clarity and credibility in formal writing.

Common error

Avoid directly translating informal speech patterns (such as "it looks that") into written text. Although common in spoken English, it lacks the grammatical structure expected in formal communication. Use correct forms such as "it seems that".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it looks that" functions as a clause introducer, attempting to present an observation or deduction. However, according to Ludwig AI, this construction is grammatically incorrect, so it's better to use alternatives such as it seems that.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

22%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "it looks that" appears frequently across various sources, particularly in News & Media, it's crucial to note that Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. Therefore, opting for alternatives like it seems that or it appears that is advisable for maintaining clarity and grammatical correctness, especially in formal or professional contexts. Although common, relying on grammatically sound phrases enhances the credibility and precision of your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it seems that

This alternative offers a grammatically correct and more widely accepted way to express a similar observation or conclusion.

it appears that

Using "appears" instead of "looks" provides a more formal and standard English construction with the same meaning.

it would seem that

Adding "would" softens the statement, making it a more tentative or hypothetical assessment.

it suggests that

This phrase implies that there's evidence pointing towards a particular conclusion, making the statement more analytical.

it indicates that

Similar to "suggests", this alternative implies that something serves as a sign or signal.

the evidence suggests

This emphasizes the role of evidence in forming the conclusion, adding a layer of objectivity.

one might conclude that

This phrase introduces a level of personal interpretation and possible inference.

the impression is that

Focuses on the subjective feeling or understanding that someone gets from a situation.

it gives the impression that

This emphasizes the subjective nature of the observation, highlighting that it's based on a feeling or perception.

things seem to indicate that

This alternative is more verbose and expresses a more general way to point out an observation.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "it looks that"?

The phrase "it looks that" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. More appropriate alternatives include "it seems that" or "it appears that", which are both grammatically sound and widely accepted.

Is "it looks that" acceptable in formal writing?

No, "it looks that" is not suitable for formal writing. In professional or academic contexts, use phrases such as "it suggests that" or "it indicates that" to maintain a high level of grammatical accuracy and clarity.

Are there situations where "it looks that" is okay to use?

While generally discouraged in formal writing, "it looks that" might be acceptable in very informal conversation or dialectal speech. However, for most communication contexts, it's best to choose a grammatically correct alternative like "it seems that".

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

"It looks that" is considered grammatically incorrect, while "it seems that" is a standard and grammatically correct phrase used to express an impression or observation. Using "it seems that" ensures clarity and credibility in your writing.