look upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "look upon" is a correct and usable part of speech in written English.
You can use it to express thoughtful contemplation or to draw attention to something as seen from a distance. For example: "The old man looked upon the city skyline, thinking of all the years he had spent there."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He trained a pitying look upon me.

The New Yorker

When I look upon Miss Shearer.

The New Yorker

How does he look upon his composing?

The Guardian - Music

Nothing really that interesting to look upon.

The New Yorker

I cannot bear to look upon your donkey face again".

The New Yorker

Most non-nucs look upon the projected treaty with wariness.

The New Yorker

Evertonians will only look upon David Moyes with gratitude.

The Guardian - Sport

We shall not look upon his like again.

The Guardian

They look upon the world with an almost human face.

The New York Times - Books

He's someone we look upon as an elite coach.

The New York Times - Magazine

The Communists do not look upon these assaults as "torture".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "look upon" when you want to convey a sense of thoughtful observation or evaluation. It's often used in more formal or literary contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "look upon" in everyday casual conversations; simpler alternatives like "see" or "view" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "look upon" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating an action of considering, regarding, or viewing something in a particular way. Ludwig AI highlights its usage in various contexts, demonstrating its role in expressing subjective evaluation or perspective.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

19%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

4%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "look upon" is a verb phrase commonly used to express how someone considers or evaluates something. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and appears frequently in news and media, as well as in scientific and formal contexts. While versatile, it's best suited for situations where a thoughtful or considered perspective is being conveyed. Alternatives such as "regard as" or "consider" may be more appropriate in informal settings. When writing, remember that while "look upon" is generally correct in formal settings, overusing it can make your writing sound stilted.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regard as

Focuses more on considering something in a particular way.

view as

Similar to "regard as", but slightly more formal.

consider

Emphasizes the act of thinking carefully about something.

think of as

Implies a mental association or categorization.

perceive as

Highlights the subjective interpretation of something.

deem

A more formal and authoritative way of expressing an opinion.

judge

Involves forming an opinion or evaluation, often critically.

contemplate

Suggests deep and thoughtful consideration.

observe

Focuses on the act of watching or noticing something.

witness

Implies seeing something happen, often of significance.

FAQs

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

You can use "look upon" to express how someone considers or views something. For example, "They look upon him as a leader."

What can I say instead of "look upon"?

You can use alternatives like "regard as", "consider", or "view as" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "look upon" or "look at"?

"Look at" is a more general term for directing your gaze, while "look upon" implies a more thoughtful or evaluative observation. For instance, you'd "look at" a painting, but you might "look upon" a situation with concern.

What's the difference between "look upon" and "look on"?

"Look upon" means to regard or consider, whereas "look on" means to observe without getting involved. For example, "They look upon her as a mentor" versus "They looked on as the event unfolded."