looks doable

USAGE SUMMARY

"looks doable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are examining a task or goal that appears to be achievable. For example, you could say, "The project plan looks doable, let's get started!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"The chute looks doable from here," said Stanley Barton, my friend from Minneapolis.

The New York Times - Travel

"It looks doable," William D. Green, a payload manager for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, said on Tuesday.

The New York Times

Adding an additional 200K wishlists in five days seems like a big ask, but it looks doable given that the previous 200K were added in only 48 hours.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The diet looked doable.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The car-free travel option looked doable, as the area is criss-crossed by bus, boat and train lines.

Independent

After this, it is really difficult to say how the NHS will get through 2014-15, and 2015-16 does not look doable", Charlesworth added.

The Guardian

"They're not firing on all cylinders right now, but they're firing on enough to make the rest of the year look doable," said John B. Jones Jr. at Salomon Smith Barney.

The New York Times

A few months ago such a deal looked doable, as the large European banks that held most of this private sector debt, estimated to be about 200 billion euros, recognized that it was probably a better alternative than a default by Greece, which could wipe out their holdings.

The New York Times

The fiscal deficit numbers look doable".

BBC

I'm also thinking about an event in Warsaw on the 21st but WeWork didn't look doable (and I don't like co-working spaces).

TechCrunch

The tasks too intimidating for "only one person" suddenly look doable.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When assessing a plan or task, use "looks doable" to convey a sense of optimism and feasibility, but always follow up with a thorough evaluation to ensure all potential challenges are addressed.

Common error

Avoid using "looks doable" as a substitute for careful planning and risk assessment. Just because something looks achievable doesn't mean it is without proper preparation and resources.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looks doable" primarily functions as a subject complement, describing the apparent state or quality of a subject. As Ludwig AI explains, it conveys that something appears achievable or feasible based on a preliminary assessment. The examples provided reinforce its descriptive role in evaluating potential undertakings.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "looks doable" is a commonly used expression indicating that something appears achievable or feasible. As Ludwig AI states, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While its neutral to slightly informal register makes it suitable for various contexts, including news and media, it is essential to use it judiciously. Overreliance on initial impressions without thorough evaluation can lead to overconfidence. Remember to follow up with careful planning and risk assessment. Alternatives like "seems achievable", "appears feasible", and "sounds promising" can be used depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seems achievable

Focuses on the impression of attainability, emphasizing that the goal is within reach.

appears feasible

Highlights the practical possibility of something being accomplished successfully.

sounds promising

Suggests a positive outlook and potential for success, often used when initially evaluating an idea.

seems realistic

Emphasizes that something is grounded in reality and has a good chance of succeeding.

looks promising

Indicates that initial observations suggest a favorable outcome or result.

appears attainable

Focuses on the ease and possibility of achieving a specific goal or objective.

seems viable

Highlights the sustainability and ability of something to work in the long term.

appears manageable

Suggests that a task or situation can be handled or controlled without excessive difficulty.

sounds practical

Emphasizes the pragmatic and sensible nature of a plan or approach.

looks straightforward

Indicates that the process or task seems simple and easy to understand.

FAQs

What does "looks doable" mean?

It means something appears achievable or feasible based on an initial assessment.

What can I say instead of "looks doable"?

You can use alternatives like "seems achievable", "appears feasible", or "sounds promising depending on the context.

Is "looks doable" formal or informal?

It's generally considered neutral to slightly informal, suitable for most conversations and writings but may be replaced by a more formal option in professional documents.

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

You can say, "The project plan "looks doable", let's get started!" or "The task "looks doable" with the resources we have".