looked at

USAGE SUMMARY

"looked at" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe an action that someone or something has taken (or is taking) in regards to something else. Example: The professor looked at the students with disappointment.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We looked at everyone.

The New York Times

He looked at home.

The New York Times - Sports

She looked at him.

The New Yorker

He looked at everything.

The New York Times

She looked at me.

The New York Times

He looked at it.

The New Yorker

I looked at Mel.

The New York Times

We looked at everything.

The New Yorker

He looked at me.

Forbes

I looked at it.

The New Yorker

People looked at them.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "looked at" when you want to describe a simple act of directing your gaze towards something or someone. For more formal or specific situations, consider alternatives like "examined" or "inspected".

Common error

Avoid using "looked at" in highly formal or academic writing where more precise verbs like "examined", "analyzed", or "investigated" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looked at" primarily functions as a verb phrase, specifically a past tense verb followed by a preposition. It indicates the action of directing one's gaze towards something. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "looked at" is a very common and grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe the act of directing one's gaze towards something. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions primarily to indicate a visual action and appears most frequently in News & Media contexts. While perfectly acceptable in many situations, consider using more precise verbs like "examined" or "inspected" for formal or academic writing. The phrase maintains a neutral register, suitable for a variety of communication needs. When deciding to improve the phrasing, remember to pick one that closely reflects what the intended implication is, while keeping an appropriate tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

examined

Replaces "looked" with a more formal verb, suggesting a closer inspection.

inspected

Implies a detailed and careful examination, often for a specific purpose.

observed

Focuses on the act of noticing or paying attention to something.

glanced at

Suggests a quick or brief look.

considered

Shifts the focus from visual observation to mental evaluation.

reviewed

Implies a formal assessment or evaluation of something.

studied

Indicates a more in-depth and prolonged examination for learning purposes.

checked out

An informal way of saying "looked at", often used in casual conversation.

scrutinized

Suggests a very careful and critical examination.

contemplated

Focuses on thinking deeply about something after visually observing it.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "looked at"?

You can use alternatives like "examined", "inspected", or "observed" depending on the context.

How to use "looked at" in a sentence?

"Looked at" is used to describe the act of directing one's gaze towards something. For example, "She looked at the painting" or "He looked at his watch".

What is the difference between "looked at" and "stared at"?

"Looked at" implies a general observation, while "stared at" suggests a prolonged, intense gaze. Staring often implies surprise, interest, or even rudeness.

Is it always necessary to replace "looked at" with a more formal verb in academic writing?

No, it's not always necessary. "Looked at" is perfectly acceptable in many contexts. However, in certain situations, using more precise verbs like "analyzed" or "investigated" can add clarity and sophistication to your writing.