looks secured

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looks secured" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct form would be "looks secure." You can use it when describing something that appears to be safe or stable. Example: "The door looks secure, so I feel safe leaving the house."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But his songs were marked by an intelligence and challenging attitude which, with his distinctive delivery and looks, secured Wainwright the cult appeal that sustains a long career.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The image looks secure, bourgeois, somewhat haughty.

The Economist

Their passage to the semi-finals looked secured.

Independent

Qualification then looked secured as Moses charged down on goal and was tripped by Bancha.

BBC

Check the teeth out in the mirror to ensure they are the desired size and look secure in your mouth.

WikiHow

He now looks secure.

The Economist

In many countries, democracy still looks secure.

The Economist

But at the moment, its position looks secure.

The Economist

To Mr. Hintz, Mr. Blankfein's position looks secure.

The New York Times

In contrast, recovery in emerging markets looks secure".

The Guardian - Business

Both regimes rest on highly personalised rule that looks secure but may yet prove unstable.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the correct phrase "looks secure" to describe something that gives the impression of being safe, stable or well-protected. For instance, "The building looks secure with its reinforced doors and surveillance cameras."

Common error

Avoid using the past participle "secured" after "looks". "Looks" requires an adjective to describe the appearance. The correct form is "looks secure".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looks secured" attempts to function as a descriptive statement, where one perceives something as having been made safe or stable. However, the correct construction is "looks secure", with 'secure' acting as an adjective. Ludwig confirms this grammatical distinction.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "looks secured" might seem intuitive, it's grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "looks secure", where "secure" functions as an adjective. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is relatively rare and its usage is split between News & Media and Wiki sources. For clearer and more grammatically sound communication, consider using alternatives such as "appears safe" or "seems protected".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appears safe

This alternative focuses on the perception of safety rather than the act of securing.

seems protected

This alternative emphasizes the presence of protection around something.

appears guarded

This alternative implies protection through surveillance or active guarding.

seems invulnerable

This alternative suggests an inability to be harmed or damaged.

looks invulnerable

Direct replacement maintaining the visual aspect while focusing on resilience.

appears fortified

Implies strengthening or reinforcing against attack.

seems unassailable

Indicates an inability to be attacked or questioned.

looks impenetrable

Highlights the visual impression of being impossible to break through or enter.

seems foolproof

Focuses on reliability and resistance to error.

appears tamper-proof

Highlights resistance to unauthorized alteration or interference.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say something appears safe?

The correct way to express that something appears safe is to say it "looks secure". Other options include "appears safe" or "seems protected".

Is "looks secured" grammatically correct?

No, "looks secured" is not grammatically correct. The correct form is "looks secure". The word "secure" acts as an adjective describing the appearance.

How can I use the phrase "looks secure" in a sentence?

You can use "looks secure" to describe something that appears safe or well-protected. For example: "The gate "looks secure", so the animals should be safe inside".

What are some alternatives to saying "looks secure"?

Alternatives to "looks secure" include "appears safe", "seems protected", or "appears guarded", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.