looking aware

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looking aware" is not standard in written English and may be confusing.
It could be used in contexts where you want to describe someone who appears to be conscious or mindful of their surroundings or situation. Example: "She walked into the room, looking aware of the tension in the air."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

MARTIN SHEEN sped down the hallway of the Mayflower Hotel, looking aware of the celebrity gawkers and aware of the event happening right behind him.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Even the upper class like to look aware.

Vice

God damn!" When he says this, once again laughing, I think instantly about the photograph on the cover of Drake's "Take Care," which shows the artist sitting glumly in front of a golden goblet, looking painfully aware of how little solace his riches can bring him in his darkest moments.

The New Yorker

Marc Gasol had 11 points and 17 rebounds for Memphis, while Mike Conley scored 20 points and Sam Young added 18. Duncan began the game in vintage playoff form, looking keenly aware of the stakes.

Huffington Post

The animal looks back, aware of the artist.

The Guardian - Arts

We look back, aware, at least unconsciously, that the world has moved on.

The New York Times

Here, and to Benítez's immense credit, Newcastle's players looked fully aware of their roles and convinced of their ability to fulfil them.

The Guardian - Sport

Repeating the lyrics "been telling myself that I can roll with the changes" in a falsetto that matures with age, he looks anxiously aware of the lyrical poignancy.

The Guardian - Music

They explore perception, the bottom line of all art; they're about our watching ourselves look, becoming aware of how we see, not just what we see.

The New York Times - Arts

This character, the most richly portrayed in Mukherjee's family album, rendered unmarriageable by too much education and unfortunate looks, consoles herself with inventive spite while her mother looks on, aware of the part she has played in creating such a monster but powerless to intervene.

Independent

One can imagine it being the handiwork of self-satisfied marketing types in the mould of the Financial Times's fictional Martin Lukes, who took great pride in having his company renamed "a-b glöbâl" because this would make it look culturally aware, or something.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character's reaction or demeanor, use "looking aware" to effectively convey their consciousness of the situation and its implications.

Common error

While acceptable in general writing, "looking aware" might be considered too informal or vague for academic or highly professional contexts. Opt for more precise and sophisticated vocabulary, such as 'appearing cognizant' or 'seeming perceptive'.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "looking aware" is to act as a descriptive phrase, modifying a subject by indicating their apparent state of consciousness or understanding. This can be seen in the examples provided by Ludwig, where it describes how someone appears in a given situation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "looking aware" describes someone who appears conscious and attentive to their surroundings. While Ludwig AI flags it as potentially confusing, it is used in reputable news and media sources. The grammatical function is descriptive, and the register is generally neutral. To enhance clarity in formal writing, alternatives such as "appearing conscious" or "seeming mindful" may be preferred. While not incorrect, the examples show that the expression is mostly seen on news and media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appearing conscious

Changes the verb from 'looking' to 'appearing' while maintaining the core meaning of displaying awareness.

seeming mindful

Replaces 'aware' with 'mindful' to convey a similar sense of attentiveness and consciousness.

appearing perceptive

Substitutes 'aware' with 'perceptive' to emphasize the ability to understand or notice things.

looking cognizant

Uses 'cognizant' in place of 'aware' to denote knowledge or understanding of something.

appearing informed

Replaces 'aware' with 'informed' to suggest knowledge about a particular subject or situation.

looking observant

Emphasizes the act of watching and noticing details.

appearing vigilant

Conveys a sense of watchfulness and alertness to potential dangers or issues.

seeming attuned

Suggests a state of being in harmony or responsive to one's surroundings.

looking sensible

Highlights the practical understanding of a situation.

appearing responsive

Focuses on the ability to react appropriately to stimuli or changes.

FAQs

How can I use "looking aware" in a sentence?

You can use "looking aware" to describe someone who appears to be conscious or mindful of their surroundings or situation. For example: "She entered the negotiation, "appearing conscious" of the stakes involved".

What are some alternatives to "looking aware"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "seeming mindful", "appearing perceptive", or "looking cognizant".

Is "looking aware" formal or informal?

"Looking aware" leans towards the informal side. In formal writing, consider using "appearing informed" or similar, more sophisticated alternatives.

What does it mean when someone is described as "looking aware"?

It typically means the person seems conscious, attentive, and understanding of what's happening around them. They are "appearing vigilant" and not oblivious to the situation.