looks enormous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looks enormous" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that appears to be very large or significant in size or scale. Example: "From this angle, the mountain looks enormous, towering over the landscape."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

He, observing his chilled fingers, remarks that his wedding ring looks enormous.

The Guardian - Books

"To paraphrase what someone said: what looks big to you looks enormous to me," she said.

The Guardian - Business

The sum looks enormous, but the company points out that a big chunk of it comes from his previous employers.

The Economist

My mother's building, a block long and six stories high, looks enormous in this landscape of sagging three-story houses.

The New York Times - Magazine

"It looks enormous on the map, but it expanded because there were core economic problems at home".

The New York Times

No thanksSep 18th 2003 A survey of government and the Internet: Haves and have-notsJun 22nd 2000While the gap as defined using these per-head measures looks enormous, the growth rates tell a different story.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

My toes look enormous".

The New York Times

She had about half an inch of hair, making her brown eyes look enormous.

The New York Times

How can you judge whether that skirt makes your rear end look enormous?

The New York Times - Magazine

When his sculptures — as tall as 14 feet — were installed there they looked enormous and the skyscrapers behind them tiny.

The New York Times - Arts

I wouldn't want to be skinny, anyway, as my eyes and nose would just look enormous".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing something as "looks enormous", consider the perspective of the observer. What factors contribute to this perception? Specifying these factors can add depth to your description.

Common error

Avoid using "looks enormous" as a generic descriptor. Instead, use more specific and evocative language to capture the unique qualities of the object or scene you are describing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looks enormous" functions as a descriptive phrase, primarily used to convey the visual perception of something being exceptionally large. Ludwig examples highlight its application in describing physical objects, spaces, and even abstract concepts like potential.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "looks enormous" serves as a simple yet effective way to convey that something appears very large. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and readily usable in various contexts. While not exceedingly common, it finds its place primarily in news and media, offering a neutral register suitable for general descriptions. For more formal settings, synonyms like "appears immense" or "presents as colossal" might be preferred. Remember to use this phrase thoughtfully, aiming for specificity in your descriptions and avoiding overuse in simple contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appears gigantic

Replaces "looks" with "appears" and "enormous" with "gigantic", slightly intensifying the size.

seems massive

Uses "seems" instead of "looks" and "massive" in place of "enormous", conveying a sense of imposing size.

gives the impression of being huge

Emphasizes the perceived impression of size rather than a direct visual description.

presents as immense

More formal, using "presents" and "immense" to suggest a grand scale.

strikes as colossal

Implies an immediate and overwhelming sense of size, using "strikes" and "colossal".

appears substantially large

Replaces "enormous" with a more descriptive phrase, emphasizing the extent of the size.

is perceived as vast

Focuses on the perception of size, using "vast" to indicate an extensive area.

projects a tremendous size

Highlights the impact of the size, using "tremendous" to amplify the scale.

has a gigantic appearance

Shifts the focus to the overall appearance, emphasizing the gigantic quality.

presents a larger than life image

Suggests that something appears significantly bigger than its actual size or importance.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "looks enormous" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "appears immense", "presents as colossal", or "exhibits considerable size". These options offer a heightened level of sophistication in your writing.

What's the difference between "looks enormous" and "seems large"?

"Looks enormous" suggests a visual assessment of exceptional size, while "seems large" implies a broader impression of being significantly big. The first focuses on appearance, the second on a general perception.

Is it always appropriate to use "looks enormous" in academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "looks enormous" might be too informal for certain academic contexts. Opt for more precise and objective language, describing specific measurements or comparative scales instead.

What are some common synonyms for "enormous" that I can use instead of "looks enormous"?

Depending on the context, you can replace "enormous" with synonyms like "gigantic", "massive", "immense", "colossal", or "vast" to add variety to your writing.