looking at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looking at" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of observing, examining, or considering something. Example: "Looking at the data, we can see a clear trend emerging over the past few months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"You're looking at him.

The New Yorker

"I'm looking at stuff.

Independent

"Paul's looking at it.

Independent

Still looking at him.

The New Yorker

Everybody's looking at him.

The New York Times - Sports

I'm looking at you.

The New Yorker

You're looking at what exists.

The New York Times

He wasn't looking at me.

The New Yorker

He stands looking at it.

The New Yorker

We are looking at that.

Forbes

Lina wasn't looking at me.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "looking at" to describe a direct visual assessment or when considering different options. For example, "We are looking at different strategies to improve sales".

Common error

In formal contexts, replace "looking at" with more precise verbs like "examining", "assessing", or "evaluating" to enhance clarity and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looking at" functions as a verb phrase, typically part of a present continuous tense. It describes an ongoing action of observing or considering something. Ludwig AI provides examples of its use in various contexts, showcasing its versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "looking at" is a very common and versatile verb phrase used to describe the act of observing, considering, or examining something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use in both formal and informal contexts, with a neutral register. While appropriate in many situations, it's advisable to consider more precise alternatives like "examining" or "assessing" in formal writing to enhance clarity. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media and Wiki sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

examining

Focuses more on detailed inspection or investigation.

considering

Emphasizes thoughtful deliberation and evaluation.

observing

Highlights the act of watching or noticing something.

inspecting

Implies a close and careful scrutiny.

reviewing

Suggests a formal assessment or evaluation.

assessing

Indicates the evaluation of the value or quality.

studying

Focuses on in-depth learning and analysis.

analyzing

Highlights the process of breaking down something into its components.

perusing

Implies a casual reading or browsing.

scanning

Indicates quickly glancing over something.

FAQs

What does "looking at" mean?

"Looking at" means observing, examining, or considering something. It often implies a visual inspection or a thoughtful review of a situation.

What can I say instead of "looking at"?

You can use alternatives like "examining", "considering", or "observing" depending on the context.

How to use "looking at" in a sentence?

Use "looking at" to describe the action of visually inspecting something or considering a situation. For example, "She is looking at the data to find trends" or "They are looking at different options for the project".

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

"Looking at" is the continuous form, used for ongoing actions (e.g., "I am looking at the screen"). "Look at" is the imperative form (e.g., "Look at the picture") or the base form used with auxiliary verbs (e.g., "You should look at this").