looks perilous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looks perilous" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or condition that appears to be dangerous or risky. Example: "The mountain trail looks perilous, especially after the recent storms."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

From outside, it looks perilous.

The New York Times

Labour's future now looks perilous.

The Guardian - Opinion

But even on the available evidence, Trump's position looks perilous indeed.

The New Yorker

In either scenario, the outlook for tenants of housing associations landlords in England looks perilous.

The Guardian

We still need, somehow, to find a way forward, and the road ahead looks perilous whatever path we choose.

The Guardian

It looks perilous and probably is, but, jeered on by a busload of children watching a foolish gringo, retreat was impossible.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Stuart Gulliver, chief executive of HSBC, agreed that the situation looked perilous.

The Guardian - Business

Photograph: Jamie Mcdonald/Getty Images Updated at 8.30pm GMT 8.12pm GMT Goal! Peterborough 1-0 KiddeRowester (Rowe 22) Another non-league side looking perilous here.

The Guardian - Sport

By 11am, they began to look perilous, however, and by midday both tents were on the ground, covered in mud.

The Guardian

At first blush the move to a higher interest rate looked perilous.

Forbes

The BOA's finances continue to look perilous - the 2011 accounts showed a £411,000 loss and it has extended a £5m overdraft to next year.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "looks perilous", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being observed and why it appears dangerous or risky. Provide specific details to support the assessment.

Common error

Avoid using "looks perilous" in overly casual or informal situations where simpler synonyms like "looks dangerous" or "seems risky" would be more appropriate. The phrase carries a degree of formality that may be out of place in everyday conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looks perilous" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, describing its apparent state or condition. It suggests a visual assessment leading to a conclusion of potential danger. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "looks perilous" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe situations that appear dangerous or risky. Ludwig AI confirms it to be correct in the English language. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts, indicating a neutral register. When writing, ensure the context provides clear details about why something "looks perilous". For less formal settings, consider alternatives like "seems dangerous" or "appears risky".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appears dangerous

Replaces "perilous" with "dangerous", a more common synonym.

seems risky

Substitutes "perilous" with "risky", focusing on the potential for negative outcomes.

appears to be in danger

Expands the phrase to explicitly state the presence of danger.

presents a threat

Shifts the focus to the threatening nature of the situation.

seems treacherous

Replaces "perilous" with "treacherous", highlighting the deceptive and hazardous aspects.

appears precarious

Substitutes "perilous" with "precarious", emphasizing instability and uncertainty.

seems fraught with danger

Adds intensity by emphasizing the presence of danger throughout the situation.

appears to be on the brink

Suggests the situation is close to a negative outcome or collapse.

projects a hazardous image

Focuses on the outward impression of hazard.

suggests impending doom

Conveys a sense of inevitable and negative consequences.

FAQs

What does "looks perilous" mean?

The phrase "looks perilous" means that something appears to be dangerous, risky, or hazardous based on observation. It suggests a situation or condition that seems likely to cause harm or negative consequences.

What are some alternatives to "looks perilous"?

You can use alternatives like "appears dangerous", "seems risky", or "appears to be in danger" depending on the specific context.

Is "looks perilous" formal or informal?

"Looks perilous" leans towards the more formal side. In more casual settings, phrases like "looks dangerous" or "seems risky" might be more suitable.

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

You can use it to describe a variety of situations, such as: "The journey ahead "appears to be on the brink".", "The old bridge "appears precarious"", or "The company's financial situation "presents a threat"".