that looks wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that looks wrong" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing doubt or concern about the accuracy or correctness of something you are observing or reviewing. Example: "After reviewing the report, I must say that looks wrong; the figures don't add up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

And I used to do this faux flirting on the show, but I won't do that any more because that looks wrong when you get older.

The Guardian

We get suggestions from top founders, VCs and do actually bias to women but not to a level that looks wrong.

The Guardian - Opinion

When faced with something that looks wrong, the first rule is to look at the raw data.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Go through anything that looks wrong.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Other things that look wrong actually make sense: the "hovering" master bedroom on the second floor creates a covered open-air dining area below (and is actually supported by a slender steel frame).

The New York Times - Magazine

We got a glimpse of two others on the first day of the Nagpur Test – Ravindra Jadeja and Piyush Chawla, both bowling spin on a pitch that looked wrong for any level of cricket, let alone the first day of a crucial Test match.

Independent

Nowadays, it's the press conference which has no blameless human wallpaper that looks faintly wrong.

The Guardian - Opinion

The idea is that people travelling past on their commutes will see this object that looks fundamentally wrong, and ask what it is, and think about it – the way they didn't back in 1942.

The Guardian - Books

Right now, with some analysts valuing the company at $15bn, (£8bn) that looks utterly wrong-headed.

The Guardian - Opinion

A few quibbles aside, it is hard to find any bit of government economic policy that looks truly wrong-headed.So far, however, it is mostly talk.

The Economist

That idea looks wrong again.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Replace "that looks wrong" with alternatives that are less common for an original touch. For example, use "that seems off" or "something appears amiss".

Common error

While "that looks wrong" is straightforward, relying on it too often can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "that seems off" or "that appears incorrect" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that looks wrong" functions as an evaluative expression, primarily used to communicate a negative assessment based on visual observation. Ludwig AI affirms that it can be used in a sentence. It indicates a discrepancy between what is expected or correct and what is currently observed.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that looks wrong" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression for indicating that something appears incorrect or inappropriate based on visual assessment. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in diverse contexts. While its simplicity makes it versatile, more formal settings may benefit from more specific language. Its prevalence in news, media, and wiki sources underscores its broad applicability and understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that's not quite right

Offers a gentler assessment, indicating something is not entirely correct without being overly critical.

that seems off

Replaces "looks" with "seems", softening the visual aspect with a more general sense of something being not quite right.

that doesn't seem right

Emphasizes the speaker's perception of something being amiss, using "doesn't seem" instead of direct observation.

that appears incorrect

Substitutes "looks wrong" with a more formal and definitive statement of inaccuracy.

that's questionable

Expresses doubt about the validity or appropriateness of something, using a more analytical tone.

that's dubious

Similar to 'questionable' but suggests a stronger degree of skepticism and doubt.

something is amiss

Focuses on the presence of an error or problem without specifying what 'that' refers to.

that's fishy

Introduces a sense of suspicion or deceit, implying something is wrong and potentially dishonest.

that's not kosher

A more informal expression indicating that something is not legitimate or acceptable.

that raises concerns

Highlights the potential problems or worries associated with the situation, shifting the focus to implications.

FAQs

What does "that looks wrong" mean?

The phrase "that looks wrong" expresses a perception or judgment that something appears incorrect, flawed, or inappropriate based on visual assessment or available information.

What can I say instead of "that looks wrong"?

You can use alternatives like "that seems off", "that appears incorrect", or "something is amiss" depending on the context.

How can I make the phrase "that looks wrong" more specific?

To be more specific, clarify what "that" refers to. For example, instead of "that looks wrong", say "the data in the report looks wrong" or "the color scheme looks wrong for this project".

In what situations is it best to avoid using "that looks wrong"?

In formal or professional settings, it may be better to use a more precise and less subjective phrase. Instead of "that looks wrong", consider saying "there seems to be an error" or "this requires further investigation".