looks staggering

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looks staggering" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that appears astonishing or overwhelming, often in a positive context. Example: "The view from the mountain top looks staggering, with the vast landscape stretching out before us."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

At least Sen. McCain is still rhetorically committed to deficit reduction; Sen. Obama's campaign pretty much shrugs it off, pointing out that although the absolute deficit looks staggering (it could hit $500 billion next year), it's currently only 2.5% of gross domestic product, about half what it was in 1992.

Forbes

From the Blaine school of dramatic singing, this number involves a lot of anguished looks, staggering back, and raising fisted hands.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

But since India starts from a low per capita income base and has the advantage of volumes, the projected numbers can look staggering.

The New York Times

The numbers look staggering at first, but Lane Fox – who is co-founder of lastminute.com, one of the darlings of the first dotcom boom, and a non-executive director of Marks & Spencer and Channel 4 – seems oddly unfamiliar with them; if she were a government minister, you'd think she was on her second day in the job, rather than her fourth month.

The Guardian - Tech

forehand up the line that so startled Federer that he looked staggered, as if the blow had been not to the ball but to himself; he still seemed to be reeling when he double-faulted on the next point.

The New Yorker

"He had a funny look on his face, staggered back and fell to the floor.

The New York Times

But private providers are increasingly looking to stagger the release of proprietary numbers so they can charge more to high-speed traders who will pay handsomely for the zippiest feeds.Regulators are watching.

The Economist

The brave Gemma looks oddly diminished, staggering slightly as she walks, as if she had suffered a small stroke or lost an actual limb.

The New Yorker

Mr. Keene looks around at children staggering through the halls with stacks of thick books -- and sees the light.

The New York Times - Books

In the footage, he looks confused, and staggers as the police converge on him.

The New Yorker

However, because this was a fiercely proud Russian-run hospital, and because the global implications of declaring diplomacy dead are so grave, it is being made to look like it is staggering on.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "looks staggering" to describe something that visually presents as surprisingly large, impressive, or overwhelming. It often implies a sense of awe or disbelief due to the scale or impact of what is being observed.

Common error

Avoid using "looks staggering" to describe something of minor significance. This phrase is most effective when the scale or impact is genuinely impressive, otherwise, it loses its intended emphasis. Using it to describe a slightly larger than average pizza, for example, would diminish its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looks staggering" functions as a descriptor, attributing a quality of being astonishing or overwhelming to the subject it modifies. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. The examples provided by Ludwig showcase its use in various contexts to convey the sense of something appearing remarkably impressive.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "looks staggering" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that describes something appearing astonishing or overwhelming. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is often employed to convey a sense of awe or disbelief regarding the scale or impact of the subject. While not exceedingly common, its use is appropriate across various registers, particularly in news and media contexts. When using "looks staggering", consider the genuine magnitude of what you're describing to ensure the phrase retains its intended impact. Related phrases like "appears astonishing" and "seems overwhelming" can offer nuanced alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appears astonishing

Replaces "staggering" with "astonishing", focusing on the surprising nature of the appearance.

seems overwhelming

Substitutes "staggering" with "overwhelming", highlighting the intensity of the impression.

presents as breathtaking

Replaces "looks staggering" with "presents as breathtaking", focusing on the beauty and impressiveness of the appearance.

gives an impression of immensity

Rephrases to emphasize the large scale or impact conveyed by the appearance.

strikes as formidable

Focuses on the imposing or impressive nature of what is being observed.

projects an image of grandeur

Highlights the magnificent or impressive quality of the image being presented.

conveys a sense of vastness

Emphasizes the expansive and seemingly limitless nature of the appearance.

suggests remarkable impact

Focuses on the significant or noteworthy effect created by the appearance.

creates an impression of awe

Highlights the sense of wonder and amazement inspired by the appearance.

appears strikingly impressive

Combines elements of surprise and impressiveness in describing the appearance.

FAQs

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

"Looks staggering" is used to describe something that appears surprisingly large, impressive, or overwhelming. For example, "The amount of data they collected "looks staggering" when viewed together".

What can I say instead of "looks staggering"?

You can use alternatives like "appears astonishing", "seems overwhelming", or "presents as breathtaking" depending on the specific context.

Is it always positive when something "looks staggering"?

While often used in a positive or neutral sense to denote impressiveness, "looks staggering" can sometimes imply a negative context, particularly when referring to overwhelmingly negative statistics or situations. Its connotation depends heavily on the subject it modifies.

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

"Looks staggering" describes the appearance or impression something gives, while "is staggering" asserts that something is genuinely overwhelming or astonishing. The former is about perception, the latter about reality. For example, "The bill "looks staggering" at first glance, but it's actually quite reasonable upon closer inspection," versus "The national debt "is staggering", reaching trillions of dollars".