look around

USAGE SUMMARY

"look around" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example: "As he arrived at the new park, he decided to take a moment to look around."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"Look around," she said.

The New Yorker

"Look around," he said.

The New Yorker

I look around too.

Independent

"Look around.

The New York Times - Sports

Look around carefully.

WikiHow

Go look around Pottermore.

WikiHow

Look around and blink.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

I was looking around".

The New Yorker

Simons looked around patiently.

The New Yorker

Start looking around immediately.

Science Magazine

Then Motte looked around.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "look around" to suggest exploration, consider the specific context to determine if a more precise verb like "explore", "survey", or "inspect" would be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "look around" in formal writing where a more professional term like "examine" or "investigate" is more suitable. The informality of "look around" can undermine the seriousness of your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "look around" primarily functions as an intransitive verb, indicating the act of exploring or inspecting an area. Ludwig confirms this usage as grammatically correct, and examples show it used to describe visual exploration and general investigation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Wiki

50%

News & Media

46%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "look around" is a common and generally acceptable phrasal verb used to describe the act of exploring or inspecting a space. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, although it's important to consider the context and choose more formal alternatives like "examine" or "survey" for professional or academic writing. The phrase appears frequently in Wiki and News & Media sources, confirming its usage in everyday language. When writing, remember that "look around" is best suited for informal settings and narratives, but be aware of more suitable alternatives if the situation requires so.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take a look around

This alternative includes 'take' to add emphasis on the action of looking.

check out the surroundings

This is a casual way of saying to observe what's around you.

survey the area

This phrase suggests a more comprehensive and systematic examination of a space.

explore the location

Suggests a more in-depth discovery process of the place.

inspect the premises

This implies a formal or official examination of a location, often for security or assessment.

observe the environment

This is a more formal way to describe paying attention to the surrounding setting.

scan the vicinity

Suggests a quick visual check of the surrounding area.

scrutinize the scene

Suggests a careful and critical examination of what is visible.

reconnoiter the site

This implies a strategic inspection, often in a military or tactical context.

browse around

Implies casual, less focused exploration, often in a retail setting.

FAQs

How can I use "look around" in a sentence?

You can use "look around" in a sentence to mean exploring an area, as in "We decided to "look around" the new neighborhood". It can also mean turning one's head to see what is behind, such as "He "looked around" when he heard a noise".

What's a more formal way to say "look around"?

Instead of "look around", you could use phrases such as "survey the area" or "inspect the premises" in more formal contexts.

Is it correct to say "looked around" or "look around"?

Both "look around" and "looked around" are correct, but they are used in different tenses. "Look around" is present tense, while "looked around" is past tense. For example, "I will look around" (future) versus "I looked around" (past).

What can I say instead of "look around" to indicate browsing in a store?

In the context of casually browsing in a store, you could use "browse around" to convey the same meaning as "look around".