looks valid

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'looks valid' is correct in written English.
You can use it to express that your opinion is that something appears to be accurate or legitimate. For example, "This contract looks valid."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Harnad concludes: "On the face of it, [the CR argument] looks valid.

SEP

The argument looks valid and the premises seem true, on at least one reading, but the conclusion doesn't follow.

SEP

China's productivity level has been gradually increased, similar to the world mean.3 When it comes to the relative position, the famous argument of Rodrik (2006), "China is special," still looks valid.

Journal of Economic Structures

And looking at Abkhazia's endless history of wars and occupations that idea looks valid.

Huffington Post

At a glance, the five-digit code looks valid, but the date is not recognized.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

It's horribly easy to make links look valid so try hovering your cursor over the link for a few seconds before clicking to see what the real link is: the true link pops up if you give it a moment.

BBC

The inference looks perfectly valid.

SEP

From Peter's armchair, the reasoning looks perfectly valid.

SEP

(2) If there are still packets not correctly decoded at the destination, the destination will look for valid combinations.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

We must ask ourselves: at what point are we willing to let go of the image we've been sold and instead look at valid criticisms?

Huffington Post

You'll need to look at valid research sources and you'll need to evaluate those materials as you research.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "looks valid", ensure that you have considered enough evidence to support your initial assessment. It implies a preliminary judgment that requires further scrutiny.

Common error

Avoid treating something that "looks valid" as definitively true without conducting thorough verification. Initial impressions can be misleading, and it's important to seek confirmation before making critical decisions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looks valid" functions as an evaluative expression, offering a preliminary assessment of something's apparent accuracy or legitimacy. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usage across different contexts. Examples show it assessing arguments, codes, and documents.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "looks valid" serves as an initial assessment indicating that something appears accurate or legitimate, though further scrutiny may be required. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While relatively rare, it appears across diverse domains, including news, science, and wikis, with a generally neutral register. When writing, remember that "looks valid" implies a preliminary judgment and should not replace thorough verification. Alternatives such as "seems legitimate" or "appears sound" can provide similar meanings in different contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seems legitimate

Emphasizes the apparent lawfulness or authenticity.

appears sound

Focuses on the seeming rationality or reliability.

seems plausible

Highlights the apparent credibility or believability.

appears reasonable

Stresses the apparent logicality or fairness.

seems justifiable

Focuses on the apparent defensibility or excusability.

appears acceptable

Indicates the apparent permissibility or tolerability.

seems correct

Emphasizes the seeming accuracy or truthfulness.

appears effective

Focuses on the apparent capacity to produce a desired result.

appears promising

Highlights the expectation of a positive outcome.

seems in order

Emphasizes the apparent conformity to rules or expectations.

FAQs

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

You can use "looks valid" to express that something appears to be accurate, legitimate, or acceptable based on initial observation. For example, "The contract "looks valid" upon initial review, but it needs a closer examination."

What are some alternatives to "looks valid"?

Alternatives include "seems legitimate", "appears sound", or "seems plausible", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "looks valid" in formal writing?

While "looks valid" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "appears valid" or "seems legitimate" might be preferable in highly professional or academic contexts.

What does it mean when something "looks valid" but is not?

It means that the initial impression suggests accuracy or legitimacy, but further investigation reveals discrepancies or inaccuracies. This highlights the importance of verifying information, even if it initially "looks valid".