looks fanciful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looks fanciful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that appears imaginative, whimsical, or unrealistic, often in a positive or playful context. Example: "The design of the garden looks fanciful, with its vibrant colors and unusual shapes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

That looks fanciful now.

The Guardian

That idea now looks fanciful.

The Economist

Some of the web gossip looks fanciful.

The Economist

If the plan is to offer the banks a brief shelter in a storm, it looks fanciful.

The Economist

The alternative of banks issuing many hundreds of billions of pounds of long-term bonds also looks fanciful right now.

The Economist

Such a position, which is the territory occupied by Harry Redknapp's Champions Leaguee challengers, looks fanciful for Villa, but Cuellar added: "It's tight.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

And his flourishes can make his close readings look fanciful.

The Guardian - Books

And once a larger number of "boardable" women starts to fill the pipeline, a 30% or 40% share of board seats may no longer look fanciful.

The Economist

If it is not, the chancellor's ambition to achieve a budget surplus in this parliament will once again look fanciful.

The Guardian - Business

The idea that he might come to Augusta on the back of 47 competitive holes in six months and somehow contend looked fanciful from the first hole, which he three-putted for a bogey.

Independent

If anyone is to stop Rafael Nadal from winning a record seventh French Open – and that is looking fanciful after a fifth straight win of composed fury – he has not announced his presence at Roland Garros over the past 11 days.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "looks fanciful" to describe plans, ideas, or designs that are imaginative and creative, but possibly unrealistic or impractical. For example, "Their proposal for a self-sustaining city on Mars looks fanciful, but it sparks innovation."

Common error

Avoid using "looks fanciful" when you want to express complete disbelief or dismissal. The phrase implies a degree of charm or imaginative quality, even if it's not practical. If you intend to convey stronger skepticism, consider phrases like "is completely unrealistic" or "has no basis in reality."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looks fanciful" primarily functions as a subjective description, where "looks" acts as a linking verb connecting the subject to the adjective "fanciful". The word fanciful serves as a subjective complement and, as affirmed by Ludwig AI, it conveys an imaginative or whimsical quality.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "looks fanciful" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe something that appears imaginative or whimsical, but potentially unrealistic. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and provides various examples from reputable sources such as The Economist, The Guardian, and The New York Times. While it's suitable for general writing and news contexts, remember that it implies a charming or imaginative quality, not necessarily complete disbelief. Alternatives like ""seems whimsical"" or ""appears imaginative"" can be used for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seems whimsical

Changes the verb to 'seems' and replaces 'fanciful' with 'whimsical', emphasizing the playful and imaginative aspect.

appears imaginative

Replaces 'looks' with 'appears' and 'fanciful' with 'imaginative', focusing on the creative and inventive quality.

seems far-fetched

Emphasizes the unlikelihood and remoteness of the idea.

appears unrealistic

Focuses on the lack of realism and practicality.

sounds implausible

Shifts the focus to the auditory perception and replaces 'fanciful' with 'implausible', highlighting the lack of believability.

seems like a fantasy

Highlights the dreamlike and unreal quality.

appears chimerical

Uses a more formal and literary term to suggest an illusory or unreal quality.

sounds visionary

Focuses on the forward-thinking and innovative aspect, potentially implying a positive spin.

appears quixotic

Highlights the idealistic but impractical nature of the idea.

seems pie-in-the-sky

Uses an idiomatic expression to emphasize the impracticality and unlikelihood of the idea.

FAQs

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

You can use "looks fanciful" to describe something that appears imaginative, whimsical, or unrealistic. For example, "The artist's rendering of the underwater city "looks fanciful"."

What can I say instead of "looks fanciful"?

You can use alternatives like "seems whimsical", "appears imaginative", or "sounds implausible" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "look fanciful" instead of "looks fanciful"?

No, "look fanciful" is grammatically incorrect in most contexts. You should use ""looks fanciful"" when referring to a singular subject. "Look fanciful" might be appropriate in a different grammatical construction, such as an imperative.

What's the difference between "looks fanciful" and "seems unrealistic"?

"Looks fanciful" implies a charming or imaginative quality that might be impractical, while "seems unrealistic" focuses primarily on the lack of feasibility. The former might be used to describe an artistic design, while the latter is more appropriate for assessing a business plan.