look

USAGE SUMMARY

The word “look” is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in a variety of contexts (e.g. as a noun, verb, adverb, or interjection). For example, "Take a look at this picture; it's beautiful."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But look again.

The New York Times

"Look at it.

The New York Times

"Look at him!

The Guardian

"But I look at people who have been in politics for five, 10, 15 years, and muck up, you see them muck up and think, 'You guys are supposed to be pro!' "People that have gone to Oxbridge, had thousands spent on their education, and I mean they are royally mucking up".

The Guardian - Sport

Herne was set up in October 2011 to look into allegations made against the Met's Special Demonstration Squad (SDS), including using dead children's identities and engaging in inappropriate sexual relationships.

The Guardian

Let's look at the facts.

The New York Times

It's worth a look.

The New York Times

That's something we have to look at.

The New York Times

"It makes the rest of us look bad".

The New York Times

Here's what to look out for.

The Guardian

"In my normal way, I probably would have said, 'I'll look into it.' " Costa said Obeid began to lobby him about AWH within a month of him becoming a minister and he had a conversation with Obeid in which Obeid suggested a corruption complaint may be made against Schott.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "look" as an interjection, ensure it is followed by a comma if it introduces a clause (e.g., "Look, I'm going to explain.").

Common error

Avoid using "look" without the appropriate preposition when necessary. For example, say "look at the picture" not just "look the picture".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "look" is as a verb, indicating the act of directing one's gaze. It also functions as a noun to describe the act of looking or appearance. According to Ludwig, the phrase follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "look" is a versatile word primarily functioning as a verb and also as a noun or interjection. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. Its frequent appearance in news and media highlights its role in directing attention, describing appearances, and conveying expectations. While "look" is generally neutral in register, understanding its contextual nuances ensures effective communication. Alternative phrases such as "take a glance" or "appear to be" can provide variety in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take a glance

Emphasizes a quick or brief look.

cast an eye

Suggests a more deliberate and directed look.

give attention

Focuses on directing one's awareness or scrutiny.

appear to be

Highlights the perceived or outward semblance of something.

seem to be

Similar to "appear to be", indicating a subjective impression.

anticipate

Emphasizes the expectation or prospect of something.

expect

Directly conveys a sense of awaiting or foreseeing.

search

Focuses on the act of trying to find something.

seek

A more formal alternative to "search", suggesting a determined effort.

face

Highlights the direction or orientation of something.

FAQs

How can I use "look" in a sentence?

You can use "look" in many ways. For example, as a verb: "I look at the stars.", as a noun: "Let's have a look.", or as an interjection: "Look, listen to me!".

What can I say instead of "look"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "glance", "gaze", "appear", or "seem".

What's the difference between "look" and "see"?

"Look" implies intention and effort to direct your eyes, while "see" simply means perceiving something with your eyes, even unintentionally. You might "look" for your keys, but you "see" them when they're in your line of sight.

Is it correct to say "look at" or "look to"?

Both are correct but used in different contexts. "Look at" directs visual attention (e.g., "Look at the painting"). "Look to" implies expectation or reliance (e.g., "We look to you for guidance").