looks cumbersome

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looks cumbersome" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that appears awkward, unwieldy, or difficult to manage. Example: "The new software interface looks cumbersome, making it hard for users to navigate efficiently."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Sport

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

These days, though, the model looks cumbersome and flawed.Over the years, successive federal governments have increasingly poked their noses into the affairs of the Länder (states), and vice versa.

The Economist

A provisional design for a stone, steel and glass bridge by Bologna architects Schiavani, however, looks cumbersome, while Lidia Fersuoch of the conservation group Italia Nostra is quoted as saying: "The [existing] bridge now has its own dignity and should be restored.

The Guardian - Arts

Thus old-line TV looks cumbersome and costly, with its legacy of satellites and towers, hundreds of TV stations and cable networks, million-dollar budgets and spoiled stars, and a need to reach big audiences.

Forbes

It looks cumbersome to our science-fiction fueled minds, with each person having to carry a laptop computer and wear chunky video-equipped helmets.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Giroud looked cumbersome linking the play, Campbell energetic but vague.

The Guardian - Sport

But Poiret ignored the shorter skirts and trimmer lines and continued enveloping women in luxurious garments that began to look cumbersome.

The New York Times - Arts

The frequency with which Porto were torn open reduced some of the concern over a defence in which Sol Campbell looked cumbersome as he deputised for Gallas.

The Guardian - Sport

It's a piece which makes other Irish plays about retrieving history (which is to say, a lot of Irish plays) look cumbersome.

The Guardian

Opel and Audi are hiring thousands of new workers as they expand their car-assembly operations in Hungary and Audi would hire more were it not for opposition from unions and politicians in Germany, worried about jobs at home.Local research and development was often closed down because it looked cumbersome and unproductive.

The Economist

Coleman's switch to a 5-3-2 formation - which had looked cumbersome in Andorra - worked brilliantly in Haifa.

BBC

He can look cumbersome, but he is good on the ball and, you saw against St Johnstone, he doesn't hit too many long balls".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "looks cumbersome", consider the specific aspect you want to emphasize: is it the appearance, the handling, or the overall complexity? Choose synonyms that better reflect the intended meaning.

Common error

While "looks cumbersome" is acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "appears unwieldy" or "seems inefficient" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looks cumbersome" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun or pronoun, providing information about its appearance or perceived handling difficulty. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Sport

12.5%

Less common in

Arts

12.5%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "looks cumbersome" is a grammatically correct and usable adjective phrase that describes something appearing awkward or unwieldy. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and while it's not exceedingly common, with only four exact examples found, it appears in diverse contexts like News & Media, Wiki, Sport and Arts. When writing, synonyms like "seems unwieldy" or "appears clunky" can add variety, and it's important to consider the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seems unwieldy

Focuses on the difficulty of handling or managing something.

appears clunky

Emphasizes the lack of elegance or smoothness in appearance.

presents as awkward

Highlights the lack of grace or ease.

gives the impression of being unwieldy

More formal and emphasizes the perceived difficulty.

projects an image of difficulty

Focuses on the image or perception created.

has a cumbersome appearance

More descriptive and emphasizes the visual aspect.

appears burdensome

Highlights the feeling of being a heavy load or responsibility.

seems heavy

Emphasizes the weight or difficulty in use.

projects clumsiness

Highlights the lack of finesse or skill.

appears convoluted

Focuses on the complexity and difficulty of understanding.

FAQs

What does "looks cumbersome" mean?

The phrase "looks cumbersome" describes something that appears awkward, unwieldy, or difficult to manage. It suggests a visual impression of being complicated or inefficient.

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

You might say, "The new software interface "looks cumbersome", making it hard for users to navigate efficiently" or "The proposed solution "looks cumbersome" and impractical for our needs".

What are some alternatives to "looks cumbersome"?

You can use alternatives such as "seems unwieldy", "appears clunky", or "presents as awkward" depending on the context.

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

Both "looks cumbersome" and "seems cumbersome" are grammatically correct. "Looks cumbersome" emphasizes the visual aspect, while "seems cumbersome" suggests a more general impression or feeling. Choose the one that best fits the context.