looks very good

USAGE SUMMARY

"looks very good" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express approval for something. For example: "That paper you wrote looks very good."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The development looks very good".

The New York Times

"The block looks very good".

The New York Times

"Mike looks very good," Harris told ESPN.

The New York Times

The agreement actually looks very good.

University of California, Berkeley

MALLOY: The 2018 picture looks very good.

The Washington Post

"I think it looks very good.

The Guardian - Arts

"I can't say he looks very good.

The New York Times

Going by the numbers, the monitor looks very good indeed.

The New York Times

"No, darling, it looks very good in mine," she replied.

The New York Times

The ballet, as a result, looks very good indeed.

The New York Times

"The Superpave section looks very good in comparison," he says.

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your vocabulary. While "looks very good" is acceptable in many scenarios, substituting with terms like "promising" or "excellent" can enhance the impact and sophistication of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "looks very good" excessively in formal reports or academic papers. Opt for more precise and professional language such as "demonstrates considerable merit" or "exhibits strong potential".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looks very good" primarily functions as a subjective assessment or evaluation. Based on Ludwig's examples, it commonly follows a subject and expresses a favorable impression or judgment about its state or appearance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

10%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "looks very good" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression for conveying a positive assessment or approval. According to Ludwig's AI, it's suitable for a wide range of contexts, particularly in news and media, with a neutral register. While acceptable in many scenarios, more formal alternatives might be preferable in academic or professional settings. The phrase functions as a subjective evaluation, and its frequency indicates its widespread acceptance in everyday language. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its versatility and appropriateness across different domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appears to be excellent

Replaces "looks" with "appears to be" and "very good" with "excellent", offering a more formal tone.

seems quite promising

Substitutes "looks" with "seems" and "very good" with "quite promising", implying potential and positive expectations.

presents itself favorably

Replaces the subjective "looks" with the more objective "presents itself", suggesting an advantageous impression.

is highly commendable

Shifts from appearance to direct praise, using "highly commendable" to express strong approval.

exhibits considerable merit

Emphasizes inherent value rather than outward appearance, indicating substantial worth.

shows great potential

Focuses on future possibilities and positive development, highlighting the promise of something.

makes a strong impression

Highlights the impact and positive reception of something, emphasizing its effectiveness.

is in excellent condition

Indicates that something is in a very good state. It focuses on the state instead of the aspect.

has a very positive outlook

Focuses on the projected future state of something.

is quite impressive

Uses a direct adjective to express the positive evaluation of the subject.

FAQs

How can I use "looks very good" in a sentence?

You can use "looks very good" to express a positive assessment of something's appearance or condition. For example, "The new design "looks very good"" or "The patient's recovery "looks very good" so far".

What are some alternatives to "looks very good"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "appears to be excellent", "seems quite promising", or "is highly commendable".

Is "looks very good" too informal for academic writing?

While "looks very good" is understandable, it may be too informal for academic writing. Consider using more formal phrases such as "exhibits considerable merit" or "demonstrates strong potential" to maintain a professional tone.

When is it appropriate to use "looks very good"?

"Looks very good" is appropriate in everyday conversations, casual emails, and informal writing. It's best used when offering a general positive evaluation without needing to be overly formal.