looking at how

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'looking at how' is a perfectly acceptable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it in order to ask a question about a topic, as in: "Looking at how the market is performing this quarter, do you think investing in tech stocks is a good idea?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Number two, we're looking at how do you accomplish sustainability.

The New York Times

I'm looking at how effectively they deliver those messages.

The New York Times

"They're looking at how the world is changed".

The New York Times

Now companies are looking at how to join the dots".

Independent

They're looking at how they can be competitive".

The New York Times - Tech

I'm always looking at how I can be better".

The New York Times

"We're looking at how long earnings can last".

The New York Times

We're looking at how everything runs in this hospital".

The New York Times

"They're not looking at how stupid they look".

The New York Times

"Everybody is looking at how they improve their governance.

The Guardian - Sport

I never tire of looking at how he fashions apparently nude dancers in arabesque.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "looking at how" when you want to investigate a process or method, rather than just observing a situation. For example, "We are looking at how the new policy affects employee morale" implies a deeper analysis than simply noting the morale levels.

Common error

Avoid using "looking at how" when a simple observation suffices. For instance, instead of saying "I'm looking at how the birds are flying", use "I'm watching the birds fly" if you are merely observing their flight.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looking at how" functions as a gerund phrase acting as a prepositional complement. It typically introduces a clause that describes the method, process, or manner in which something is done or occurs. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "looking at how" serves as a versatile phrase used to signal an investigation or analysis of a process or method. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, its register remains neutral, lending itself to both formal and informal communication. When employing this phrase, ensure it appropriately reflects an analytical approach rather than mere observation. Alternatives such as "examining how" or "analyzing how" may offer a more nuanced perspective in certain scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

examining how

Replaces "looking" with a more formal synonym, "examining".

analyzing how

Substitutes "looking" with "analyzing", implying a deeper investigation.

considering how

Uses "considering" instead of "looking", suggesting a thoughtful evaluation.

investigating how

Emphasizes a more thorough inquiry by using "investigating".

exploring how

Suggests a broad and open-ended inquiry with "exploring".

assessing how

Focuses on evaluating the effectiveness or impact with "assessing".

studying how

Implies a systematic and detailed examination with "studying".

reviewing how

Suggests a formal inspection or re-evaluation by using "reviewing".

determining how

Focuses on finding out the method or process with "determining".

observing how

Highlights the act of watching and noting the process with "observing".

FAQs

How can I use "looking at how" in a sentence?

Use "looking at how" to introduce an investigation or analysis of a process or method. For example, "We are "looking at how" the new software improves efficiency".

What can I say instead of "looking at how"?

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

Which is correct, "looking at how" or "looking at why"?

"Looking at how" focuses on the process or method, while "looking at why" focuses on the reasons or causes. The correct choice depends on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "looking at how" and "seeing how"?

"Looking at how" suggests an active and analytical approach, while "seeing how" can imply a more passive observation. For instance, "We are "looking at how" to improve the system" implies a deliberate investigation, whereas "Let's see how it goes" suggests a more casual observation.