looks as

USAGE SUMMARY

"looks as" is correct and usable in written English.
You use it to suggest that something appears to be a certain way or to comparing something to something else. Example: The car looks as though it has been in an accident.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Di Matteo looks as cool as ever.

The New York Times

Yet Nadal looks as good as ever.

The New York Times - Sports

He looks as sheepish as my mother.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Masterson looks as sinister as ever.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But his job looks as challenging as the economic outlook.

The Economist

Today, the door looks as good as new.

The New York Times

Sustaining relationships looks as hard as ever.

Wikipedia

The future looks as bleak as ever.

Huffington Post

It looks as good as it tastes.

WikiHow

Make sure that your purse looks as classy as possible.

WikiHow

"Looks as if," not "like".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "looks as" for comparison, ensure clarity by explicitly stating what is being compared to what. For example, "He looks as tired as I feel."

Common error

Avoid using "looks as" interchangeably with "looks like". "Looks like" is typically used when describing a resemblance, whereas "looks as" often precedes a clause or expresses a degree.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looks as" functions as a linking phrase that introduces a clause indicating appearance or resemblance. It serves to connect an observation with an interpretation, as seen in examples provided by Ludwig. The addition of "if" or "though" specifies the nature of the appearance.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "looks as" is a grammatically correct linking phrase used to express an appearance or resemblance. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's often followed by "if" or "though". While versatile, "looks as" should not be confused with "looks like", which is used to indicate direct similarity. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts, maintaining a neutral register. To enhance clarity, ensure you explicitly state the comparison when using "looks as". Understanding these nuances will aid in effective and accurate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appears to be

Emphasizes the outward appearance or impression.

seems like

Offers a more informal way to express a similar observation.

gives the impression of

Highlights the subjective feeling or perception created.

has the look of

Focuses on the visual aspect or aesthetic quality.

resembles

Indicates a direct similarity or likeness.

bears a resemblance to

More formal way of saying something resembles something else.

suggests

Implies a connection or hint based on observation.

could be mistaken for

Suggests a potential misidentification due to similarity.

presents itself as

Highlights how something is portrayed or perceived.

is evocative of

Focuses on the power to bring something to mind.

FAQs

How can I use "looks as" in a sentence?

You can use "looks as" to express an appearance or resemblance, such as "It "looks as if" it's going to rain" or "He "looks as though" he hasn't slept in days".

What's the difference between "looks as if" and "looks like"?

"Looks like" usually indicates a resemblance or similarity, while ""looks as if"" introduces a clause explaining the appearance or impression. For example, "He looks like his father" versus "He "looks as if" he's about to cry".

Can I use "looks as though" instead of ""looks as if""?

Yes, ""looks as though"" and ""looks as if"" are often interchangeable and carry the same meaning. Both are used to express an appearance or indication of something.

What are some alternatives to ""looks as if"" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "appears that", "it would seem that", or "it suggests that" instead of ""looks as if"".