looks like precisely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looks like precisely" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to convey a sense of accuracy or exactness in a description, but the construction is awkward and unclear. Example: "It looks like precisely what I was expecting."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Combined with his idea that there should be monetary tightening, Perry's plan looks like precisely the wrong set of policy prescriptions.

The Guardian - Opinion

At the moment it looks like precisely that in 1999, just before the dotcom bubble spectacularly burst.Another measure of the stock mania in China is the gap that has opened between share prices in the mainland and Hong Kong.

The Economist

Square-jawed on-baller Angus Brayshaw looks like precisely the kind of brutish, no-nonsense player that Melbourne missed in their woeful drafts of the past decade; when he shook Roos' hand on draft day he went nose-to-nose with him as though he was requesting a cage match.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

But her character's rise through the industry (which culminates in her walking the Paris gang-plank wrapped in what looks like Bacofoil) never convinces precisely because she looks like something straight men want to have sex with and nothing like a genuine model.

The Guardian - Film

In fact, it might well receive a call from the SEC.Other failings disclosed in the SEC's report also look like precisely the sorts of problems the commission exists to prevent in listed companies.

The Economist

By the way, maybe the White House invited this media crapstorm over executive privilege precisely because they know they're only hiding a nothing-burger and in a final analysis, this will look like precisely the obstructionist witch-hunt they want people to remember when they vote.

Huffington Post

And if so, what model will tell us precisely what "better" looks like?

BBC

His mustached, sun-hat-wearing friend Harvey looks like — and precisely is — the kind of character who says, "What do you think, kid?" We also get to know Myrtle, Tex, Wally, Ethel... and Ethel's false teeth.

The New York Times - Books

Precisely what that occupation will look like is as of yet unclear.

Huffington Post

It looked like just a mouse, and that is precisely why it was so weird.

The Guardian

But I don't think the problem is that he sounds or looks like a toff, precisely.One of the first things I wrote about Mr Cameron on taking up the job of Bagehot in 2010 and watching him interact with a room full of Manchester voters, was that he struck me as occupying a very particular spot in the British class system.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for clearer and more standard phrases like "seems exactly like" or "appears to be exactly" to improve readability and ensure grammatical correctness. Avoid using the phrase "looks like precisely" in formal writing.

Common error

Avoid combining "looks like" with "precisely" as it creates an unnatural and grammatically questionable construction. Choose alternative phrases that convey the intended meaning of exact similarity more effectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looks like precisely" functions as a descriptor, aiming to express a high degree of similarity or resemblance. However, according to Ludwig AI, this combination is considered grammatically awkward, impacting its effectiveness in conveying the intended meaning.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "looks like precisely" intends to convey a high degree of similarity, it is considered grammatically incorrect and awkward in standard English. According to Ludwig AI, it's best to use alternative phrases such as "seems exactly like" or "appears to be exactly" to achieve clarity and grammatical correctness. The phrase appears mostly in news contexts, but due to its unconventional structure, it should be avoided in formal writing. Using clearer alternatives will improve the quality and readability of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is an exact match to

Indicates a perfect correspondence or similarity.

seems exactly like

Replaces "looks like" with "seems" and "precisely" with "exactly" for a more common expression.

appears to be exactly

Uses "appears to be" in place of "looks like" and retains "exactly" to denote accuracy.

mirrors precisely

Indicates a precise and reflective similarity.

is precisely like

Omits "looks" and directly equates something with a precise resemblance.

resembles closely

Employs "resembles" to indicate similarity and "closely" instead of "precisely".

mimics perfectly

Emphasizes the imitation aspect with a high degree of accuracy.

is just like

Simplifies the phrase to a more informal and direct comparison.

duplicates faithfully

Highlights the accurate replication or mirroring of something.

bears a striking resemblance to

Uses a more formal tone to express a strong similarity.

FAQs

What phrases can I use instead of "looks like precisely"?

Consider using alternatives such as "seems exactly like", "appears to be exactly", or "is precisely like" for clearer communication.

Is "looks like precisely" grammatically correct?

No, "looks like precisely" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use more conventional phrases.

How can I express exact similarity in a more professional way?

Use phrases like "is an exact match to" or "bears a striking resemblance to" to convey exact similarity in a more formal and professional manner.

What's wrong with using "looks like precisely"?

The combination of "looks like" with "precisely" is redundant and creates an awkward phrasing. Standard English prefers more streamlined expressions.