looking relative

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looking relative" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to describe something that appears to be related or comparable, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "The results of the experiment were looking relative to previous studies, but the connection was not well established."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In absolute terms, that is an 11.2% risk reduction, which translates into the more impressive looking relative risk reduction of 58%.

BMC Public Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

If he can't accomplish that, then it doesn't matter how much better this policy looked relative to alternatives on paper.

The Economist

The more the fiscal focus, the better the U.S. looks relative to other industrialized countries.

Forbes

So the lower the price-to-book ratio, the cheaper a company looks relative to its net worth.

Forbes

That creates a perverse situation: The more expensive the underlying assets get, the cheaper money-manager stocks look relative to earnings growth.

Forbes

If a company can tell us how it's doing, we know how to help them, and how they look relative to all the other companies we've ever seen.

TechCrunch

Once again, the "convenience" of online shopping is looking increasingly relative.

TechCrunch

I agree that maybe earnings will stay healthy because we're looking for relative growth.

Forbes

Others were looking for relatives who were already in this country.

The New Yorker

Residents of Moore spent much of the day picking through the rubble and looking for relatives.

The Guardian

All around him, scores of other people were on a similar journey, although not everyone was looking for relatives.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In contexts where you intend to express that something's appearance is influenced by its relationship to something else, explicitly state the basis of the comparison for clarity.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse the adjective "relative" (meaning 'considered in relation or in proportion to something else') with descriptive adjectives for appearance. Instead of saying something "is looking relative", specify the comparison being made, such as "it looks large relative to its surroundings".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looking relative" attempts to function as a descriptive term, suggesting a visual assessment based on a comparison. However, its non-standard usage makes its function unclear. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically incorrect and lacks a clear meaning. Examples show the phrase being used in contexts where a comparison is implied but not explicitly stated.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "looking relative" is a grammatically questionable phrase that attempts to describe something's appearance based on a comparison. Ludwig AI flags it as incorrect and advises against its use. While examples exist in sources like Forbes, The New York Times, and The Guardian, clearer alternatives such as "appearing related" or "seeming comparable" are recommended for better clarity and grammatical correctness. When using comparative descriptions, always specify the basis for the comparison to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seeming relative

Emphasizes the appearance of being related, but maintains grammatical correctness.

appearing related

Similar to "seeming relative", focuses on the observable relationship.

looking comparable

Highlights the comparability of things being viewed or assessed.

looking similar

Indicates a resemblance in appearance.

appearing in proportion

Focuses on the relationship in terms of size or degree.

seeming proportional

Expresses a sense of balance or correspondence between elements.

appearing comparatively

Focuses on comparing appearances.

looking by comparison

This phrase introduces a comparison to evaluate something.

assessed comparatively

Replaces "looking" with a more active verb, focusing on assessment rather than appearance.

evaluated in relation

Highlights the evaluation process and the relational aspect.

FAQs

What does "looking relative" mean?

The phrase "looking relative" is not a standard English expression. It seems to be an attempt to describe something's appearance in relation to something else, but it's not grammatically correct. A clearer phrasing is preferable.

How can I use "relative" correctly in a sentence?

Use "relative" to indicate a comparison or relationship. For example, "The cost is low relative to the benefits" or "The risk is minimal relative to the potential reward".

What can I say instead of "looking relative"?

Consider using phrases like "appearing related", "seeming comparable", or specify the context: "it looks large relative to the object next to it".

Is "looking relative" grammatically correct?

No, "looking relative" is not grammatically correct. The adjective "relative" needs a clear point of reference or comparison. Rephrase to clarify the relationship you are trying to express.