looks promising

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looks promising" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you think something has potential to turn out favorably. For example: This new marketing strategy looks promising; I'm sure it will be successful.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Looks promising.

Independent

program looks promising.

The New Yorker

Infrastructure also looks promising.

The New York Times

But it looks promising.

The Economist

This attempt looks promising.

The New York Times

Nevertheless, the matchup looks promising.

The New Yorker

The set-up looks promising.

The Guardian

The new plan looks promising.

The New York Times

It looks promising thus far.

The Guardian

The Heaths' future looks promising.

The New York Times - Books

And in places the future looks promising.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing ongoing projects, you can use "looks promising" to indicate that intermediate results are encouraging.

Common error

Avoid using "looks promising" as a definitive prediction. It implies potential, not guaranteed success.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looks promising" functions as a subjective assessment, indicating that something appears to have a good chance of success or a positive outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct. Examples across various sources illustrate its use in expressing cautious optimism.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "looks promising" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to convey cautious optimism. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. Its neutral register and frequent appearance in news media, scientific publications, and business contexts make it a versatile tool for expressing positive anticipation. While it should not be used to overstate certainty, it effectively communicates the potential for a favorable outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seems promising

Similar in meaning, but adds a slight element of uncertainty.

holds promise

Stresses the potential that something contains.

shows potential

Focuses on the inherent capability rather than outward appearance.

has good prospects

Emphasizes future possibilities and chances of success.

is encouraging

Highlights the positive and uplifting nature of the situation.

offers hope

Highlights the potential to alleviate a negative situation or achieve a positive outcome.

bodes well

A more formal and literary way to suggest a positive outcome.

is hopeful

Conveys a sense of optimism and anticipation.

is auspicious

Suggests that the situation is favored by good fortune.

portends well

Indicates a favorable sign or omen for the future.

FAQs

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

You can use "looks promising" to express optimism about a potential outcome. For example, "The initial results of the experiment "looks promising"".

What are some alternatives to saying "looks promising"?

You can use alternatives like "shows potential", "holds promise", or "is encouraging" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "seems promising" instead of "looks promising"?

Yes, "seems promising" is a perfectly acceptable alternative. Both phrases convey a similar meaning, with "seems promising" perhaps implying a slightly greater degree of uncertainty.

What's the difference between "looks promising" and "is promising"?

"Looks promising" suggests an assessment based on current observations, while "is promising" can imply a more inherent quality or potential based on deeper understanding.