it was looked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was looked" is not correct in standard written English.
It is not usable because it lacks a proper verb form; the correct passive construction would typically be "it was looked at." Example: "The report was looked at by the committee before making a decision."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Barbara Cartland, the romance novelist, was quoted in The Sunday Times as saying that when she was born in 1901 "it was looked down upon to work in a trade and my father was brought up not to work at all". She added: "But now everybody works.

The New York Times

Though today it looks mannered, even artificial, in its time it was looked upon as the most beautiful and harmonious of dances, and to execute it perfectly required prolonged and careful study: The minuet was performed in open couples; spectators and partners were saluted with ceremonial bows.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He is taken, however, with the concept of "darshan" — the idea that "the more attention paid to a god, the more it was looked at, the greater its power, the more easily it could be seen".

The New Yorker

He is taken, however, with the concept of "darshan"—the idea that "the more attention paid to a god, the more it was looked at, the greater its power, the more easily it could be seen".

The New Yorker

"It was looked down upon".

The New Yorker

"Then, it was looked at as the al-Qaeda network.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

It was looking hopeful.

The Guardian - Travel

It was looking grim".

The Guardian

It was looking that way.

The Guardian - Film

But it was looking good.

The New York Times - Books

And it was: "Look, there she is!

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For formal writing, always use the complete form "it was looked at" or "it was looked upon" to ensure grammatical correctness. Avoid omitting the preposition.

Common error

A common error is omitting the necessary preposition after "looked", which leads to grammatically incorrect phrases. Always include "at" or "upon" to maintain proper sentence structure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was looked" functions as part of a passive construction, where 'it' is the subject receiving the action. However, it requires a preposition ('at', 'upon', 'into', etc.) to be grammatically complete. Ludwig AI highlights this incompleteness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

24%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "it was looked" appears frequently in various sources, Ludwig AI points out that it is grammatically incomplete without a preposition such as "at" or "upon". The phrase serves to indicate that something was examined or considered, and its register varies depending on the source, from neutral in news media to formal in academic contexts. For improved clarity and grammatical correctness, consider alternatives like "it was regarded" or "it was examined".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was regarded

Replaces "looked" with a more standard verb for expressing opinion or perception.

it was viewed

Similar to 'regarded', offering a common and grammatically sound alternative.

it was considered

Emphasizes a more formal or thoughtful assessment.

it was examined

Focuses on a detailed inspection or analysis.

it was inspected

Highlights a careful and formal observation.

it was assessed

Implies a structured evaluation or judgment.

it was reviewed

Suggests a formal process of examination, typically for approval or feedback.

it was observed

Focuses on the act of noticing or paying attention.

it was noticed

Indicates something came to someone's attention.

it was perceived

Highlights how something was understood or interpreted.

FAQs

How can I use "it was looked at" in a sentence?

Use "it was looked at" when you want to express that something was examined or considered. For instance, "The report "it was looked at" by the committee before they made a decision".

What's a more formal alternative to "it was looked at"?

A more formal alternative would be "it was examined" or "it was reviewed", depending on the context. These options convey a sense of thoroughness and attention to detail.

Is "it was looked" grammatically correct?

According to standard English grammar, "it was looked" is incomplete. The phrase requires a preposition such as "at" or "upon" to be grammatically correct. Consider alternatives like "it was considered" or "it was viewed" to ensure accuracy.

What is the difference between "it was looked at" and "it was looked upon"?

"It was looked at" generally refers to a physical or analytical examination, while "it was looked upon" suggests an opinion or perception. For example, "The evidence "it was looked at" carefully," versus, "The decision it was looked upon favorably".