looks wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looks wrong" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used when describing a grammatical or spelling error in a sentence. Example: The sentence "He walk to school every day" looks wrong. The verb should be "walks" to agree with the subject "he."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It just looks wrong".

The New York Times

This claim now looks wrong.

The New York Times

That idea looks wrong again.

The New York Times

Something about it looks wrong.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We think this looks wrong.

The Guardian - Business

It looks wrong to us".

The Guardian

If it looks wrong, don't eat it".

The New Yorker

It looks wrong in family photos, too.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Somehow long hair looks wrong to me.

The Guardian - Opinion

It looks wrong, that open-shirt caper.

The Guardian

He would look at me and say: "What looks wrong?

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "looks wrong" when you want to convey a sense that something is visually or intuitively incorrect, rather than factually wrong. It's often used when describing aesthetics or initial impressions.

Common error

Avoid using "looks wrong" when you mean something is factually incorrect. Instead, use phrases like "is incorrect", "is inaccurate", or "is mistaken" to convey that something is wrong based on evidence or data.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looks wrong" functions as a subjective assessment, indicating that something gives a negative or incorrect impression. It's commonly used to express a feeling that something is not as it should be, based on visual or intuitive cues. Ludwig examples show its flexibility in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

23%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "looks wrong" is a versatile and commonly used expression to convey that something seems incorrect or inappropriate, based on visual or intuitive judgment. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted across diverse contexts, especially in news, media and science. While offering a subjective assessment, it serves as a valuable signal to prompt further investigation or correction. When aiming for more formality, consider alternatives such as "appears incorrect" or "seems inappropriate".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

doesn't seem right

This is a more general way of expressing that something is not as it should be.

seems incorrect

This alternative focuses on the perception of being factually wrong.

appears amiss

This suggests that something is out of place or not quite right.

seems inappropriate

This indicates something is unsuitable for the context.

appears flawed

This highlights a defect or imperfection in something.

feels off

This implies a subjective sense that something is not right.

seems fishy

This suggests that something is suspicious or questionable.

appears dubious

This suggests uncertainty or doubt about something.

seems questionable

This emphasizes that something raises doubts or concerns.

appears suspect

This implies a suspicion of being untrustworthy or fraudulent.

FAQs

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

You can use "looks wrong" to describe something that visually appears incorrect, such as "That color combination just looks wrong", or to express an intuitive sense that something isn't right, as in "The data looks wrong, we should double-check it."

What's a more formal alternative to "looks wrong"?

In more formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "appears incorrect", "seems inappropriate", or "presents an anomaly". These phrases convey a similar meaning with a higher degree of formality.

When should I use "looks wrong" versus "is wrong"?

"Looks wrong" is best used when describing a subjective impression or visual assessment. "Is wrong" should be used when stating a factual error or objective inaccuracy. For instance, "The painting looks wrong with that frame" versus "The answer is wrong; it should be 42."

What does it mean when something "just looks wrong"?

When something "just looks wrong", it suggests that there's an intuitive or aesthetic sense of something being off or incorrect, even if you can't immediately pinpoint the specific issue. It's often a signal to investigate further or reconsider the presentation.