looks massive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looks massive" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to describe something that appears very large or significant in size or scale. Example: The new building under construction looks massive, with its towering height and expansive width.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The Treasury said they do not want to publish the figure "because the economy grows so much the number looks massive... it confuses people".

The Guardian

I'm not sure if it's the camera angle or not, but the pitch looks massive. 2 min: Antonio Valencia embarks on the first sortie of note, galloping down the right wing, before sending the ball inside to Fabio.

The Guardian - Sport

Otisville is considered a "medium sized" prison in the American system, but as it seems to occupy the whole side of a long hill, and is surrounded by miles of fences and razor wire, it looks massive.

The Guardian

He looks massive when compared to his diminutive Vietnamese team-mates They would call him an old-fashioned centre-forward back in the UK, with a hint of a backhanded compliment.

The Guardian - Sport

So the MK 9 looks massive but is actually a foot shorter than the 2001 Town Car, and its cockpit is quite space-efficient.

Forbes

Ian Bell says the "future looks massive" for Ben Stokes after his unbeaten 72 on the fourth day of the third Test against Australia in Perth.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

In the binoculars they did look massive.

The Guardian - Travel

"The bones look massive," he said, "and they are strong, but very, very light".

The New York Times - Science

Even from afar, the one-ton bison looked massive and lumbering.

The New York Times - Travel

From Trump's perspective at the Capitol, the crowd must have looked massive.

The Washington Post

Mr Bonte equates radicalisation and terrorism to an iceberg: it may look massive, but it can still melt.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "looks massive" to describe something that has a significant visual impact due to its size. It's particularly effective when describing things that are surprisingly large.

Common error

Avoid using "looks massive" in contexts where precise measurements or dimensions are more appropriate. For technical descriptions, favor exact figures instead of subjective impressions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looks massive" primarily functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It's used to convey a visual impression of significant size or scale, as demonstrated in the Ludwig examples where buildings, objects, and even abstract concepts are described.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "looks massive" is a descriptive phrase used to convey that something appears very large. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and suitability for describing visual impressions. While categorized as rare based on the limited examples, it's commonly found in news and media, with neutral formality. Remember to use it when you want to emphasize the size and visual impact of something, and avoid overuse in highly technical contexts where precise measurements are needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appears enormous

Emphasizes the visual impression of great size.

seems gigantic

Highlights an impression of extraordinary size.

presents as huge

Focuses on how something is perceived in terms of size.

gives the impression of being immense

Highlights the perceived vastness or scale.

has a colossal appearance

Stresses the impact of the visual size.

is seemingly vast

Focuses on the impression of great extent or area.

projects a large image

Emphasizes the visual projection of size.

exhibits a grand scale

Highlights the impressive proportions.

conveys a sense of immensity

Focuses on the feeling of being very large.

is visibly substantial

Highlights noticeable size or volume.

FAQs

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

You can use "looks massive" to describe something that appears very large. For example, "The new skyscraper "looks massive" against the city skyline".

What are some alternatives to "looks massive"?

Some alternatives include "appears enormous", "seems gigantic", or "presents as huge", depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "looks massive" or "is massive"?

"Looks massive" implies a visual impression of size, while "is massive" states a fact about its actual size. Choose based on whether you're describing appearance or stating a measurement.

What's the difference between "looks massive" and "seems massive"?

While similar, "looks massive" emphasizes visual appearance, whereas "seems massive" can also imply an impression based on other factors beyond just sight. The subtle difference hinges on the primary source of the impression.