look large

USAGE SUMMARY

"look large" can be a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
One situation where "look large" could be used is when describing the appearance of an object or animal. For example, "The elephant's ears and trunk made it look large and majestic." Another scenario where "look large" could be appropriate is when discussing a person's actions or presence. For instance, "She stood in the center of the room, her confident posture and commanding voice making her look large and in control." Overall, "look large" is a valid phrase that can be used in descriptive writing to convey a sense of size, importance, or dominance.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

So that they could look large in small North Providence?

The New York Times

It's that he makes real life look large.

The New York Times

Salaries and buildings have both come to look large.

The Guardian - Opinion

His hands, which still look large enough to palm a basketball, now hang at his sides, occasionally lighting a cigarette.

The New York Times

"It may look large on TV, but with seven people on board, it is like living in a Winnebago".

The New York Times

The room, empty because the owner had recently moved out, didn't look large enough to hold a queen-sized bed.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Hewitt and William A. Leonard, then a CBS News vice-president in charge of documentaries, wanted to emulate Life and Look, large-circulation journals which concentrated on people.

The New Yorker

"The media is making it look larger than it is".

The New York Times

"I've spent the last 10 making them look larger".

The New York Times

Manes make males look larger and may serve to intimidate rivals or impress prospective mates.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Like advertising it makes the everyday world look larger — grander, grosser — than life.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context. "Look large" can be used literally for physical size or metaphorically for importance or impact.

Common error

Avoid using "look large" when you mean something is genuinely large, not just appearing so. Overusing it can make your writing sound less precise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "look large" primarily functions as a descriptive expression. It combines the verb "look", indicating visual appearance, with the adjective "large", denoting size. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is used to describe how something visually presents itself.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "look large" describes the visual impression of size, suggesting that something appears bigger than it might actually be. Grammatically sound and primarily used in news and media and wiki contexts, according to Ludwig AI, this phrase carries a neutral tone suitable for various settings. While "look large" is a valid and useful phrase, be mindful of its connotations to ensure accurate and precise communication. Consider alternative phrases to add variety to your writing and avoid overuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appear big

Replaces "look" with "appear" and "large" with "big", focusing on perceived size.

seem sizeable

Substitutes "look" with "seem" and "large" with "sizeable", indicating impression of largeness.

present as substantial

Uses more formal language to convey the impression of being considerable in size or importance.

give the impression of bigness

Focuses on the resulting impression of being large.

project a large image

Emphasizes the visual aspect of appearing large.

have a grand appearance

Highlights the impressive or imposing quality of the appearance.

strike one as immense

Indicates a strong and immediate impression of great size.

loom large

Implies a threatening or overwhelming sense of size and importance.

look imposing

Focuses on creating a sense of respect, dignity or even intimidating due to large appearance.

appear amplified

Indicates an exaggerated sense of size beyond the actual dimensions.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "looks large"?

When something "looks large", it gives the impression of being bigger than it may actually be. This can be due to optical illusions, perspective, or other factors influencing perception.

How can I make a small room "look larger"?

You can make a small room "look larger" by using light colors, mirrors, and minimal furniture. These techniques create the illusion of more space.

Is it better to say "look large" or "appear large"?

Both "look large" and "appear large" are grammatically correct. The best choice depends on the context and desired nuance. "Look" emphasizes visual perception, while "appear" can suggest a broader sense of seeming.

What are some other ways to say something "seems big"?

Besides "look large", you can use phrases like ""seems big"", "appears substantial", or "gives the impression of bigness" to describe something that seems large.