looks compelling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looks compelling" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that looks especially attractive or interesting. For example: "The new restaurant in town looks compelling; let's try it out this weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Looks compelling.

The Guardian

Given the scale of the crisis, the case for aid organisations redirecting money and attention to the problem of hunger looks compelling.

The Economist

For spring, Ms. Burch went for a "prep remix," which meant pulling disparate ideas together in a way that still looks compelling.

The New York Times

The metal's price movements are widely believed to prefigure shifts in the world economy.In this section Red bull Pensions, Ponzis and pyramids The shadow of recession Swiss miss Rogue hormones Pershing missile Take that, Congress Bringing down the house Correction: Brian Moynihan ReprintsThe theory looks compelling.

The Economist

(See: "BHP Sweetens On Rio Tinto") For BHP, which is hungry for acquisitions, a combination with Rio Tinto looks compelling.

Forbes

A full break-up of the business still looks compelling to us given some of the core assets - in particular the two major copper assets - could attract significantly higher valuations than is currently being ascribed by the market.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Magazine editors, too, find the Latin look compelling.

The New York Times - Style

So if you're going to be a regular scooterer, the purely economic argument to just own your own looks pretty compelling.

TechCrunch

The fundamental problem facing the view, however, is that once one combines this problem with the one mentioned earlier—i.e., the problem that some cognitive achievements don't seem to be cases of knowledge the view starts to look far from compelling.

SEP

Compelling to look at but hard to read — at once intellectually savvy and emotionally guarded — he exuded the solitude and the vagueness of the American West.

The New Yorker

Compelling to look at but hard to read at once intellectually savvy and emotionally guarded he exuded the solitude and the vagueness of the American West.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "looks compelling" to describe something that is not only visually appealing but also logically convincing or persuasive. This implies a deeper level of attraction beyond mere aesthetics.

Common error

Avoid using "looks compelling" to describe something that is only superficially attractive without any substance or logical appeal. This can weaken the phrase's impact and credibility. Use stronger terms such as "appealing" or "attractive" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looks compelling" primarily functions as a subject complement, describing the attribute of a subject. As Ludwig AI indicates, it portrays something as both visually appealing and logically convincing. The examples show it modifying nouns or ideas to suggest not just attractiveness but also persuasiveness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "looks compelling" is a grammatically correct and relatively uncommon expression that suggests something is both attractive and persuasive. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and indicates that it is often used in neutral to professional contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. When using this phrase, ensure that the subject possesses both visual appeal and logical strength to maintain its intended impact. Be mindful of not overusing it in superficial contexts where mere attractiveness is the only factor. Alternatives like "appears convincing" or "seems persuasive" can also be used to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appears convincing

Replaces "looks" with "appears" and "compelling" with "convincing", focusing on the persuasive aspect.

seems persuasive

Substitutes "looks" with "seems" and "compelling" with "persuasive", highlighting the ability to convince.

is apparently attractive

Uses "is apparently" instead of "looks" and "attractive" in place of "compelling", emphasizing the allure.

presents a strong case

Shifts from appearance to the strength of the argument, conveying a similar sense of conviction.

has an appealing quality

Focuses on the attractive quality rather than the compelling nature.

makes a persuasive argument

Highlights the argumentative strength, similar to being compelling.

gives a favorable impression

Emphasizes the positive impression created, rather than the compelling nature.

seems to be effective

Focuses on the potential effectiveness, rather than the compelling nature.

appears to be valid

Highlights the validity or soundness, similar to being compelling.

exhibits persuasive features

Highlights the persuasive characteristics instead of a general compelling appearance.

FAQs

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

You can use "looks compelling" to describe something that appears both attractive and convincing, such as "The evidence presented in court "looks compelling", suggesting the defendant's guilt".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "looks compelling"?

Some alternatives to "looks compelling" include "appears convincing", "seems persuasive", or "presents a strong case", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "looks compelling" in formal writing?

Yes, "looks compelling" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when describing evidence, arguments, or proposals that are both attractive and logically sound.

What's the difference between "looks compelling" and "looks attractive"?

"Looks compelling" implies a sense of logical persuasiveness in addition to visual appeal, while "looks attractive" simply refers to visual appeal. Something that "looks attractive" may not necessarily be convincing, whereas something that "looks compelling" has both qualities.