look astonishing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "look astonishing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that appears remarkably impressive or surprising. Example: "The sunset over the mountains looked astonishing, painting the sky in vibrant hues of orange and pink."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Film

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Even 45 years on, the results look astonishing.

The Guardian - Arts

We'd love to see Interstate 76, though: the apocalyptic road adventure from the 90s would look astonishing on current machines.

The Guardian - Tech

Maybe it does look astonishing in 3D and on the big screen, but it practically looks comical in this Internet-trailer form".

The New York Times

By the end of this year according to far-reaching legislation that will apply to all Britons gay military couples who register as civil partners will be eligible for married quarters.Yet cast an eye back to 2000 and these smooth reforms look astonishing.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Not only does the fantasy element pop out of the screen, the teeming chaos of Nepal looks astonishing.

The Guardian - Film

But the fact is, from the outside, it looks astonishing that there's just one deputy head rolling and a few people shifted to this side or that".

BBC

But even at her worst, Keira still looks astonishing".

Wikipedia

The awestruck Cage, his mouth agape, says it all: she looks astonishing.

Huffington Post

It's important to look amazing or astonishing or intriguing, but mainly interesting in some way.

Vice

By the autumn of 1977, Labour's recovery looked quite astonishing, with the party now level pegging on the polls with the Tories, its record approved by 41% of electors, and the prime minister's own popularity ratings topping 50%.

The Guardian

This can get very close to native 4K performance, though – Rise of the Tomb Raider is perhaps the best example at the moment, but the upcoming zombie adventure Days Gone looks truly astonishing on Pro, its huge undead armies and blinding explosion effects making the most of the extra power.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "look astonishing" to vividly describe something that is surprisingly beautiful or impressive. This phrase adds impact and creates a strong visual image for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "look astonishing" in overly formal or academic writing. While grammatically correct, it may come across as slightly informal. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "appear remarkable" or "seem impressive" in such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "look astonishing" primarily functions as a verb phrase complemented by an adjective. It serves to describe the appearance of something, emphasizing its striking and surprising nature. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Film

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "look astonishing" is a grammatically sound and vivid way to describe something that appears surprisingly impressive. While Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability, it is relatively rare and may not be appropriate for all formal contexts. Alternatives like "appear stunning" or "seem remarkable" can provide a similar meaning with a slightly different tone. When used thoughtfully, "look astonishing" can effectively convey a sense of wonder and amazement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appear stunning

Replaces "look" with "appear" and "astonishing" with "stunning", emphasizing visual appeal.

seem remarkable

Substitutes "look" with "seem" and "astonishing" with "remarkable", focusing on an impression of noteworthiness.

look breathtaking

Replaces "astonishing" with "breathtaking", highlighting the beauty and awe-inspiring quality.

appear incredible

Swaps "look" for "appear" and "astonishing" for "incredible", suggesting something hard to believe.

look magnificent

Replaces "astonishing" with "magnificent", emphasizing grandeur and splendor.

seem astounding

Uses "seem" instead of "look" and "astounding" in place of "astonishing", focusing on amazement.

look striking

Replaces "astonishing" with "striking", indicating a notable and attention-grabbing appearance.

appear wondrous

Substitutes "look" with "appear" and "astonishing" with "wondrous", suggesting a sense of wonder and amazement.

look impressive

Replaces "astonishing" with "impressive", highlighting the quality of making a strong impact.

seem exceptional

Uses "seem" instead of "look" and "exceptional" in place of "astonishing", emphasizing rarity and superiority.

FAQs

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

You can use "look astonishing" to describe something that has a surprisingly striking appearance. For example, "The fireworks display "looked astonishing" against the night sky."

What are some alternatives to "look astonishing"?

Some alternatives to "look astonishing" include "appear stunning", "seem remarkable", or "look breathtaking". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "look astonishing" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "look astonishing" might be considered slightly informal for certain formal contexts. Consider using alternatives like "appear remarkable" or "seem impressive" in academic or professional writing.

What's the difference between "look astonishing" and "look amazing"?

"Look astonishing" suggests a higher degree of surprise and impressiveness compared to "look amazing". "Astonishing" implies something more unexpected and awe-inspiring, whereas "amazing" is a more general term for something impressive.