looks anxious

USAGE SUMMARY

"looks anxious" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's appearance or facial expression, indicating that they are feeling worried or uneasy. Example: As I walked into the room, I could see that my friend looked anxious. His eyebrows were furrowed and his hands were fidgeting nervously.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

The stranger looks anxious.

The New York Times

Joel looks anxious and tense again.

The Guardian - Travel

He looks anxious again, as tired as old bones.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Mercedes looks anxious and scares the girls with stories of trying to kill herself with scissors.

The New Yorker

The current artistic director, Dominic Cooke, looks anxious when I reel off this litany of success.

The Guardian

Mr. 16B looks anxious: "How much will that cost?" "We'll pay," she replies.

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

She looked anxious.

The New Yorker

He was looking anxious already.

The New York Times

The city councillors looked anxious.

The New Yorker

But Hernández looked anxious.

The New York Times - Sports

Everybody around the cabbage patch looked anxious.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's emotional state, use "looks anxious" to convey a sense of worry or unease based on their appearance. Supplement it with details about their body language for a more vivid description.

Common error

Avoid using "looks anxious" when the person is actually displaying signs of excitement or eagerness, as these can sometimes be mistaken for anxiety. Ensure the context clarifies the true emotion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looks anxious" functions as a descriptive phrase, where 'looks' acts as a linking verb connecting the subject to the adjective 'anxious'. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage for describing someone's appearance or emotional state.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "looks anxious" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase for describing someone who appears worried or uneasy. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, it effectively conveys a character's emotional state based on their visible demeanor. According to Ludwig AI, it’s a correct and usable phrase for describing appearance or facial expression. Alternative phrases like "appears worried" can be used to diversify your writing while maintaining semantic accuracy. Remember to use this phrase accurately to reflect genuine signs of anxiety and avoid confusing it with other emotions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appears worried

Replaces "anxious" with "worried" and "looks" with "appears", focusing on the impression of worry.

seems apprehensive

Substitutes "anxious" with "apprehensive" and "looks" with "seems", indicating a sense of unease.

has an uneasy expression

Replaces the verb "looks" with a noun phrase describing the expression, emphasizing the visual aspect of unease.

is showing signs of worry

Focuses on the manifested signs of worry rather than a direct appearance.

displays nervousness

Emphasizes the display of nervousness, shifting the focus from appearance to behavior.

presents a fearful demeanor

Uses "demeanor" to describe overall behavior, highlighting the presence of fear.

exhibits a troubled countenance

Highlights a troubled facial expression, using more formal language.

betrays concern

Indicates that someone's actions or appearance reveals underlying concern.

one can see his agitation

Shifts the focus to the observer noticing agitation, rather than describing a direct appearance.

reveals underlying stress

Focuses on the revelation of stress, implying a deeper emotional state.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "looks anxious"?

You can use alternatives such as "appears worried", "seems apprehensive", or "has an uneasy expression" depending on the context.

What does it mean when someone "looks anxious"?

When someone "looks anxious", it suggests they appear worried, uneasy, or stressed based on their facial expressions and body language. It implies an outward manifestation of inner anxiety.

Is it better to say "looks anxious" or "seems anxious"?

Both "looks anxious" and "seems anxious" are acceptable. "Looks" emphasizes visual appearance, while "seems" suggests a more general impression or inference.

Can "looks anxious" describe objects or situations, or only people?

"Looks anxious" typically describes people. To describe an object or situation as causing anxiety, consider phrases like "is anxiety provoking" or "creates a sense of unease".