look sorry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "look sorry" is not a complete sentence and would not be considered grammatically correct in written English. It could, however, be used as part of a larger sentence or as a short phrase in spoken language. Example: "He gave me a regretful look, as if he was sorry for what he had done."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Look, sorry.

The New Yorker

When you say sorry, look sorry.

The Guardian - Film

PREMINGER (trying to look sorry): I will wait.

The New Yorker

Well at least he at least appeared to look sorry.

The Guardian - Music

Look, sorry, there's a perfectly decent explanation for this.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"Look, sorry, maybe I walked you too hard — " "I'm fine, I said".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

He looks sorry for what he did.

The New Yorker

There are reported sightings of him in the tearoom, not eating and looking sorry for himself.

Independent

"Can you tell us?" He shook his head, looking sorry to have to let me down.

The New Yorker

But I guess she went to the bother of looking sorry.

The Guardian - Opinion

Someone had obviously left an inflatable pool toy outside which now sat high up on the roof of the dining hall, deflated and looking sorry for itself.

The Telegraph

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To convey sincerity, ensure your body language matches your words when apologizing. For example, if you say you're "look sorry", make sure your facial expression and posture reflect that sentiment.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "look sorry" as a standalone sentence. It's grammatically incomplete. Instead, use a complete sentence such as "He tried to look sorry", or "They look sorry for what they did".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "look sorry" typically functions as a descriptor within a larger sentence, modifying a subject to indicate their apparent emotional state. As Ludwig AI points out, it is not a complete sentence on its own but is part of a larger construction.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "look sorry" is an incomplete grammatical construction that describes someone's appearance as conveying regret or remorse. While Ludwig AI marks the phrase as grammatically incorrect, it appears in a variety of sources, including news media and informal writing, but it should be used with caution. Grammatically complete alternatives like "appeared remorseful" or "seemed regretful" might be more suitable in formal contexts. The examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate that "look sorry" is almost always used as part of a larger sentence, where it functions to modify a subject by indicating their apparent emotional state.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appear remorseful

Focuses on the outward display of remorse, similar to showing sorrow.

seem regretful

Indicates an impression of feeling or expressing regret.

express sorrow

Highlights the act of conveying sadness or regret.

convey regret

Emphasizes the communication of feeling sorry.

look contrite

Implies a more profound sense of guilt and repentance.

display penitence

Shows outward signs of remorse and willingness to atone.

project regret

Suggests an unintentional or subtle expression of regret.

give a sad look

Shifts focus to the visual expression of sadness rather than explicit apology.

have a mournful expression

Describes a facial expression conveying deep sorrow or grief.

wear a rueful face

Implies showing regret in a slightly humorous or self-deprecating way.

FAQs

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

You can use "look sorry" as part of a larger sentence to describe someone's appearance or demeanor. For instance, "He tried to "look sorry" after breaking the vase" or "They "look sorry" for their actions".

What's a more grammatically correct way to express that someone appears regretful?

Instead of "look sorry", you can say "appear remorseful", "seem regretful", or "look contrite" for a more grammatically sound expression.

Is it correct to say someone "looked sorry"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct to say someone "looked sorry". It means they appeared to be feeling or expressing regret. The past tense "looked" makes it a complete thought.

What is the difference between "looked sorry" and "looked like sorry"?

"Looked sorry" means appeared regretful, while "looked like sorry" is not a standard English phrase. It doesn't convey a clear or grammatically correct meaning.