look dangerous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "look dangerous" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something or someone that appears to pose a threat or risk. Example: "The abandoned building looked dangerous, with its crumbling walls and broken windows."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Conversations

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Cars will still look dangerous.

The Guardian - Sport

The enemy didn't look dangerous.

The New York Times - Style

The economic hazards look dangerous, too.

The New York Times

To me, the contents do look dangerous.

The New York Times - Magazine

You should look dangerous every single game.

The Guardian - Sport

However, Swindon continued to look dangerous.

The Guardian - Sport

When France venture forward with purpose, they do look dangerous.

Independent

Critics say the media make innocent blacks look dangerous.

The Washington Post

Macedonia look dangerous every time they come forward.

The Guardian - Sport

"I want to look dangerous," the rhino told him.

The Guardian - Books

Does The New Yorker look dangerous this week?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "look dangerous" to describe something that gives an impression of potential harm or risk. For instance, 'The old bridge looked dangerous after the storm.'

Common error

Avoid using 'looks dangerous' when describing multiple items or a group. The correct form is "look dangerous". For example, say 'Those clouds look dangerous' not 'Those clouds looks dangerous'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "look dangerous" functions as a descriptive expression, primarily used to depict the apparent hazardous nature of a subject. Examples in Ludwig, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, illustrate its use in diverse scenarios ranging from sports contexts to everyday observations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Sports

25%

General Conversations

10%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

3%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "look dangerous" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something that appears to pose a threat or risk. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's frequently used across various contexts, especially in news and sports reporting. To enhance your writing, consider using synonyms like "appear menacing" or "seem perilous" for variety. Remember to use "look" with plural subjects and avoid it with singular nouns; and keep in mind that "look dangerous" describes an appearance, whereas "is dangerous" states a fact. With its versatility and clear meaning, "look dangerous" remains a valuable addition to your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appear threatening

Highlights the potential for harm or intimidation.

appear menacing

Focuses on the threatening aspect of the appearance.

give a dangerous impression

Focuses on the subjective impression of danger.

seem perilous

Emphasizes the hazardous or risky nature.

cut a dangerous figure

Implies a visually striking and threatening presence.

have a menacing air

Focuses on the overall atmosphere or feeling of danger.

present a threat

Indicates an actual or potential source of danger.

radiate danger

Suggests an inherent and obvious danger.

exude menace

Suggests a strong sense of foreboding or threat.

portray risk

Highlights the visual communication of potential danger.

FAQs

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

You can use "look dangerous" to describe something that appears threatening or risky. For example, "The abandoned building "looked dangerous", with its crumbling walls and broken windows."

What are some alternatives to saying "look dangerous"?

You can use alternatives like "appear menacing", "seem perilous", or "appear threatening" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "looks dangerous"?

The phrase "looks dangerous" is grammatically correct when referring to a singular subject. For example, "That dog "looks dangerous"". However, when referring to a plural subject, use "look dangerous".

What's the difference between "look dangerous" and "is dangerous"?

"Look dangerous" describes the appearance of something, suggesting it might be dangerous. "Is dangerous" asserts that something actually poses a threat. For example, something can "look dangerous" without actually being so.