looking up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looking up" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a verb phrase to describe an action of searching for information or information that is improved or increasing. For example: The stock market has been looking up in recent months due to increased investor confidence.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Things began looking up.

The New Yorker

Things were looking up.

The Economist

"Gee," he said, looking up.

The New Yorker

But things were looking up.

The New Yorker

You're looking up at gods".

The New York Times

Things are now looking up.

The Economist

The economy is looking up.

The New Yorker

Already things are looking up.

The New Yorker

But things are looking up".

The New York Times

"They're looking up, not down.

The New Yorker

"Yes," she said, looking up.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "looking up" to mean improvement, ensure the context clearly indicates what is improving. For example, "The company's prospects are looking up after the new product launch".

Common error

Avoid using "looking up" in a context where it might be misinterpreted as the literal action of directing one's gaze upwards when you intend to convey improvement or research. For example, instead of saying "The situation is looking up towards the sky", rephrase to "The situation is improving".

Linguistic Context

The verb phrase "looking up" functions primarily as a present participle in continuous verb tenses, describing an ongoing action. It can also serve as part of an idiomatic expression indicating improvement, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "looking up" is a versatile verb phrase that can mean both the literal act of directing one's gaze upwards and the figurative sense of things improving. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and commonly used across various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, its usage spans from formal reporting to informal conversations. When aiming for clarity, be mindful of potential misinterpretations and consider context-specific alternatives. The phrase maintains a neutral tone, making it suitable for diverse writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

searching for

Focuses on the act of actively seeking information.

researching

Implies a more in-depth investigation.

investigating

Suggests a formal or official inquiry.

things are improving

Shifts the focus to a general state of betterment.

conditions are getting better

Emphasizes the improvement of circumstances.

prospects are brightening

Highlights a more optimistic outlook.

checking out

Informal way to say researching, mostly used in informal context.

consulting

Implies seeking advice or information from a source.

referring to

Highlights the use of a specific source of information.

referencing

Similar to "referring to", but slightly more formal.

FAQs

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

You can use "looking up" to describe the action of searching for information, as in "I was looking up the definition of the word". Alternatively, it can indicate that things are improving, such as in the sentence, "Things are "looking up" for the company after a difficult quarter".

What can I say instead of "looking up" when referring to improvement?

When referring to improvement, you can use alternatives such as "improving", "getting better", or "on the upward trend depending on the context".

What is the difference between "looking up" a word and "searching for" a word?

"Looking up" a word typically implies using a dictionary or reference source to find its definition or meaning. "Searching for" a word can refer to a broader search, such as finding its usage in different contexts or its etymology.

Is it correct to say "things are looking up"?

Yes, it is correct to say "things are "looking up"". This idiom is commonly used to express that a situation is improving or becoming more positive.