looks worrying

USAGE SUMMARY

"looks worrying" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when something appears to be cause for concern or unease. For example: "The economic forecast for the coming year looks worrying."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

If he cannot sort out his problems quickly, the future looks worrying for him.

Independent

Japan looks worrying on many measures, for example, but has long been able to fund itself by issuing government debt to domestic investors.

The Economist

The En ergiewende ("energy turn"), which also encompasses a large and generously subsidised push into renewable energy, means putting up prices when in competitors such as America energy is getting cheaper; this looks worrying to some businesspeople.

The Economist

If that subsidy creep looks worrying, research from transportation think tank Reconnecting America suggests things will only get worse without changes in transportation policy.

Forbes

If I thought, well this looks worrying, I would make a phone call right now and you could be seen by the specialist tomorrow.

BMC Family Practice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Toby looks worried.

The New Yorker

"He looks worried, reactive.

The New York Times

He looks worried.

The Guardian - Travel

Kim looks worried again.

The Guardian - Sport

Shane looks worried again.

The Guardian - Sport

His box looks worried too.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "looks worrying", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is causing the concern. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "looks worrying" without specifying what exactly is causing concern. For example, instead of saying "The situation looks worrying", specify "The company's declining revenue looks worrying" to provide a clearer picture.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looks worrying" primarily functions as a subjective assessment, where 'looks' acts as a linking verb connecting the subject to the adjective 'worrying.' It indicates an impression or appearance that suggests potential problems. Ludwig confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "looks worrying" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to convey concern based on appearance or observation. Ludwig highlights that it is more frequently found in News & Media contexts. While less common, its consistent usage and clear meaning, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, make it a reliable choice for expressing unease about a particular situation or trend. Ensure that the context is clear to prevent ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appears concerning

Replaces "looks" with "appears" maintaining a formal tone and highlighting the seeming nature of the concern.

seems troubling

Substitutes both words with synonyms, offering a slightly stronger sense of unease.

is potentially alarming

Emphasizes the potential for a negative outcome, rather than just the current appearance.

gives cause for concern

Alters the structure to focus on the cause of the worrying feeling, shifting the subject.

raises red flags

Uses an idiomatic expression to indicate potential problems or dangers.

presents a worrying picture

Focuses on the overall impression or image conveyed by a situation.

suggests trouble ahead

Foretells a potential future issue, adding a temporal element.

is a matter for concern

Formal rephrasing to highlight the importance of the situation.

causes apprehension

Highlights emotional reaction to the situation, using a more formal vocabulary.

instills unease

Emphasizes the feeling of discomfort or anxiety that the situation creates.

FAQs

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

You can use "looks worrying" to describe situations or trends that appear to be cause for concern. For example, "The forecast for next quarter "looks worrying" given the current economic climate."

What are some alternatives to "looks worrying"?

Alternatives include phrases like "appears concerning", "seems troubling", or "is potentially alarming", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "looks worrying" or "is worrying"?

While both are grammatically correct, "looks worrying" suggests that the concern is based on an observation or appearance, whereas "is worrying" implies a more definitive assessment. The best choice depends on the certainty of your assessment.

What does it mean when something "looks worrying"?

When something ""looks worrying"", it means that it presents aspects or characteristics that suggest potential problems, risks, or negative consequences, prompting concern or unease.