looms

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "looms" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as either a verb or a noun, and it usually describes something that is large, looming, or impending. Example sentence: The looming storm clouds made us anxious about our outdoor plans.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Bankruptcy looms.

The Economist

The same might well be said of La Santé prison, which looms so large and menacingly over the urinal and the boulevard.

The Guardian

In the meantime, barring a breakthrough in the coming days, "the whole operation may be shutdown regardless" as the May 31 deadline looms closer.

The Guardian

Their season is now gone and maybe another bright young hope looms in the draft, but the next six weeks are now also a bittersweet farewell tour for a most humble and respected champion.

The Guardian - Sport

Which is why the question of his imminent departure looms (the hope is he can develop over another season or two back in the OHL), and why his semi-torrid pace to start the season is promising.

The Guardian - Sport

And as the reality of his return hits home and the question of whether to trust him looms large, the gang's cosy domesticity begins to unravel.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

February 2003: As the invasion of Iraq by coalition forces looms, President Khatami acknowledges the existence of the Natanz facility.

The Guardian

For at least two centuries the handloom weavers of Bengal produced some of the world's most desirable fabrics, especially the fine muslins, light as "woven air", that were in such demand for dressmaking and so cheap that Britain's own cloth manufacturers conspired to cut off the fingers of Bengali weavers and break their looms.

The Guardian - Opinion

Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 2.29pm BST14:29 A first push from the peloton – and it's BMC who lead the charge, reeling the breakaway into within 1min 30sec as Côte de Greetland looms.

The Guardian - Sport

As deadlock looms and commentators descend into familiar demands for electoral reform, the leftwing campaign group Council of Canadians has launched a voter registration campaign, confident that increasing the last campaign's historically low 61% turnout will accomplish the necessary work automatically.

The Guardian

As the election looms, you may well be considering joining a political party yourself – but how to decide which one?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "looms" to create a sense of foreboding or anticipation, especially when describing potential threats or significant events. The word choice often adds a layer of drama or suspense to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "looms" for trivial or everyday situations, as it can sound overly dramatic and out of place. Reserve it for scenarios where a genuine sense of importance or threat is intended.

Linguistic Context

The primary function of "looms" is to act as a verb, often in the third-person singular form, to describe something that appears large and threatening or an event that is impending. It can also function as a noun, the plural of "loom", referring to weaving machines. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "looms" is a versatile word primarily functioning as a verb to describe something large and imposing or an impending event, as supported by Ludwig AI. Its use creates a sense of foreboding or significance, commonly found in news, sports, and formal business contexts. While grammatically correct and widely used, it's important to avoid overusing "looms" in mundane situations to maintain its impact. Alternatives like "is imminent" or "is approaching" offer varying degrees of formality and emphasis. The examples found in Ludwig demonstrate its consistent application across diverse scenarios, underscoring its role in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is threatening

Directly expresses the potential for harm or negative impact.

is impending

Similar to "imminent" but can carry a slightly stronger sense of foreboding.

is imminent

Focuses on the nearness of the event, rather than its imposing nature.

is approaching

Emphasizes the act of drawing nearer, lacking the sense of threat.

is in the offing

Indicates something is likely to happen soon; more formal.

is on the horizon

Highlights the future prospect, diluting the immediate impact.

is overshadowing

Highlights the dominance or negative influence of one thing over another.

is brewing

Suggests an event is developing or intensifying, often negative.

is shaping up

Focuses on the development or formation of an event.

is gathering

Implies a collection or accumulation of something, not necessarily threatening.

FAQs

How can I use "looms" in a sentence?

You can use "looms" to describe something large and imposing appearing in the distance, like "A dark shadow looms over the city", or to indicate an impending event, as in "The deadline looms closer each day".

What is the difference between "looms" and "approaches"?

"Looms" suggests something large or threatening is coming, while "approaches" simply means something is getting closer. "Looms" carries a stronger sense of foreboding or significance.

What can I say instead of "looms" to indicate an impending event?

Alternatives include "is imminent", "is approaching", or "is on the horizon", depending on the level of formality and sense of threat you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "danger looms"?

Yes, "danger looms" is a common and grammatically correct expression. It indicates that a threat or danger is present or impending.