looks concerned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looks concerned" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's facial expression or demeanor that indicates worry or anxiety about a situation. Example: "When she heard the news, she looked concerned, her brow furrowing as she processed the information."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

She looks concerned.

The Washington Post

Then he looks concerned.

The Guardian - Film

A woman waiting with her two young daughters looks concerned.

The Guardian - Travel

Jenny looks concerned, but she needn't be worried.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Deeda looks concerned, as though I've missed something, and we step into separate cabs.

The New York Times - Magazine

Ms. Whalley is beautiful, even when she looks concerned, which she does throughout "Flood".

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

He's taken a nasty-looking blow to the head and players from both sides look concerned.

The Guardian - Sport

He looked concerned.

The New York Times - Sports

Mission Control looked concerned.

Independent

Konrad looked concerned.

The New Yorker

Her father, Steven, looked concerned.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's emotional state, consider the context of the scene. Using "looks concerned" is effective when you want to convey a sense of worry or unease through someone's appearance, but ensure it aligns with their actions and dialogue for a consistent portrayal.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "looks concerned" to convey a character's emotional state in scenes with extensive dialogue. Show their concern through their words, tone, and actions, not just their appearance, to create a more engaging and nuanced portrayal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looks concerned" functions primarily as a descriptive expression, characterizing someone's appearance or demeanor. It describes the outward manifestation of worry or unease. Ludwig AI examples show its use in diverse narrative and descriptive contexts, indicating a broad applicability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "looks concerned" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe someone's worried or anxious appearance. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its wide usage across various contexts, particularly in news media, where objectivity in describing people's reactions is paramount. While alternatives like "appears worried" or "seems anxious" exist, "looks concerned" provides a direct and easily understood way to convey a character's emotional state through their visible expression. When writing, it's most effective to use the phrase in moderation, enhancing character descriptions without over-relying on it at the expense of more nuanced portrayals through actions and dialogue.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appears worried

Replaces "looks" with "appears", focusing on the outward presentation of worry.

seems anxious

Substitutes "concerned" with "anxious", highlighting the feeling of unease and nervousness.

shows apprehension

Employs a more formal tone, replacing "looks concerned" with a display of worry or fear.

is displaying worry

Focuses on the act of showing worry, making it an active behavior rather than a state.

is troubled

Simplifies the phrase, directly stating the person is experiencing trouble or concern.

evinces concern

Uses a more literary vocabulary, replacing the common "looks" with "evinces" for a sophisticated tone.

has a worried expression

Shifts the focus to the visible facial expression indicating concern.

projects unease

Highlights the outward projection of unease, suggesting that the person is making their discomfort known.

is showing signs of worry

Emphasizes that the person is manifesting several indicators of concern.

is filled with anxiety

Presents a state of being overwhelmed by anxiety.

FAQs

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

You can use "looks concerned" to describe someone's facial expression or demeanor that suggests worry or anxiety. For example, "She "looked concerned" when she heard the news about the project delay."

What are some alternatives to "looks concerned"?

Alternatives include "appears worried", "seems anxious", or "shows apprehension". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.

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

"Looks concerned" and "seems concerned" are both grammatically correct and largely interchangeable. "Looks concerned" focuses more on visual appearance, while "seems concerned" can encompass both appearance and behavior.

In what situations is it appropriate to use the phrase "looks concerned"?

It is appropriate to use "looks concerned" in situations where you want to convey that someone is outwardly displaying worry, unease, or anxiety, such as when they are reacting to bad news, facing a difficult situation, or expressing sympathy.