looking in awe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looking in awe" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of admiration or wonder when observing something impressive or extraordinary. Example: "The children were looking in awe at the fireworks lighting up the night sky."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

He's looking in awe at the Forbidden City.

The New Yorker

She's looking in awe at the website for the Diva resort in the Maldives.

The Guardian - Travel

He's looking in awe at Xi Jinping, and he's choosing China because of its market, because of its power.

The New Yorker

On the DVD, during the Grieg cadenza, a violist from the orchestra can be seen looking in awe at Ms. Fischer.

The New York Times - Arts

"I've never seen this many people," said Jerri Warnick, 71, a retired teacher, looking in awe at the swarming crowd in the Pleasant Grove Junior High School cafeteria — more than double the usual number of attendees in her precinct, many of them drawn in by the high-stakes drama.

The New York Times

"I am looking in awe at these accomplishments the Republican Congress has been able to pass in the past few weeks," Speaker J. Dennis Hastert said while grinning broadly at a send-off rally the day the Congress departed for its August break.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Aziz cranes his neck to look in awe.

The Guardian

We look in awe at what the Venezuelans have achieved, and get back to rehearsing.

The Guardian

Like many other schoolchildren, Claire and Stuart Bullen of Walnut Creek, Calif., have looked in awe at the people in the in-crowd and wondered, how do they do it?

The New York Times - Health

I look in awe at her copy of Manet's A Bunch of Asparagus, the painting for which critic-collector Ephrussi overpaid 200 francs.

The Guardian - Arts

We look in awe and horror at the threat within, but make no real attempt to explain why the Islamist terror threat should have become so potent.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "looking in awe" to describe a moment of profound wonder or admiration, especially when observing something grand or impressive. For example, "The tourists were looking in awe at the majestic mountains."

Common error

Avoid using "looking in awe" in everyday situations where simple appreciation would suffice. Save it for moments that genuinely inspire a sense of wonder or reverence. For example, don't say "I was looking in awe at my sandwich".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looking in awe" functions as a participial phrase, acting as an adjective to describe someone's state while observing something. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is acceptable in written English, frequently portraying a state of wonder and deep respect.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "looking in awe" is a grammatically sound and acceptable English phrase used to describe a state of profound wonder and admiration. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides examples of its usage in reputable sources. While the phrase is more commonly found in news and media contexts, alternatives such as "gazing in wonder" or "staring in amazement" can be used to express similar sentiments. When using "looking in awe", reserve it for moments that truly inspire a sense of reverence, avoiding overuse in mundane situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gazing in wonder

Replaces "looking" with "gazing" and "awe" with "wonder", focusing on the visual aspect of the experience.

staring in amazement

Substitutes "looking" with "staring" and "awe" with "amazement", suggesting a more intense focus.

watching with admiration

Replaces "looking" with "watching" and "awe" with "admiration", emphasizing the positive regard.

observing with reverence

Changes "looking" to "observing" and "awe" to "reverence", conveying a sense of deep respect.

regarding with wonder

Uses "regarding" instead of "looking" and "wonder" instead of "awe", suggesting contemplation.

beholding with fascination

Replaces "looking" with "beholding" and "awe" with "fascination", indicating captivated attention.

viewing with astonishment

Substitutes "looking" with "viewing" and "awe" with "astonishment", implying surprise.

gaping in amazement

Emphasizes the open-mouthed expression of amazement.

marveling at

A more concise expression, conveying a sense of wonder and appreciation.

struck with wonder

Focuses on the internal feeling of wonder rather than the act of looking.

FAQs

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

Use "looking in awe" to describe the act of observing something or someone with great respect and admiration. For example, "The crowd was "looking in awe" as the astronaut walked on the moon."

What's a good alternative to "looking in awe"?

Alternatives to "looking in awe" include "gazing in wonder", "staring in amazement", or "watching with admiration". Choose the phrase that best fits the specific context.

Is it correct to say "looked with awe" instead of "looking in awe"?

"Looked with awe" is grammatically correct, but "looking in awe" emphasizes the ongoing nature of the observation. For example, "She "looked with awe" at the painting" focuses on a past action, while "She was "looking in awe" at the painting" suggests a continuous state of wonder.

What is the difference between "looking in awe" and "looking with amazement"?

"Looking in awe" implies a sense of reverence and respect, while "looking with amazement" suggests surprise or astonishment. Awe often involves a deeper emotional response than simple amazement.