they look different

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they look different" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize how two distinct groups, people, or things appear visually. For example, "The twins may be identical, but up close, you can tell they look different."

✓ Grammatically correct

Formal & Business

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Respect for one another means being willing to accept other people's differences even if they look different from you, have a different religion or come from a different land.

Unicef

It would also be nice to discuss possible differences in Z+ PCs across modules - because they look different in Figure 1 figure supplement 3E, yet there is no direct comparison.

eLife

They look different.

The New York Times

Do they look different?

The New York Times

They look different today, don't they?

The New York Times

So why do they look different?

The New Yorker

"They look different from their parents".

The New York Times

I still feel like they look different from other teams.

The New York Times - Sports

Yet because they look "different," they suffer racial profiling.

The New York Times

Will they look different in a white-walled gallery?

The Guardian - Arts

The company has versions of Word for the Mac and the PC, though they look different.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing multiple items, follow "they look different" with a specific explanation of the visual differences to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "they look different" without clarifying how they look different. Without context, the statement is vague and uninformative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they look different" functions as a descriptive statement. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is used to express that two or more entities exhibit visual distinctions. It highlights a variance in appearance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

16%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they look different" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to denote visual dissimilarities. According to Ludwig, the phrase is very common in various contexts, ranging from News & Media to Science. The phrase functions as a descriptive statement, and its neutrality makes it suitable for use across a range of formality levels. When employing this phrase, ensure to add context specifying how they look different in order to improve clarity. Alternative phrases like "they appear dissimilar" or "they present a contrast" may be used for a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they appear dissimilar

Emphasizes a formal and objective observation of differences in appearance.

they contrast visually

Highlights a clear and obvious difference when viewed.

they are visually distinct

Emphasizes that the difference is apparent upon seeing them.

they present a contrast

Highlights the existence of notable differences, often implying a comparison.

their appearance varies

Focuses on the variability in how they are perceived visually.

they are not alike in appearance

A more formal way of saying they don't look the same.

they have distinct features

Highlights specific characteristics that differentiate them.

their looks diverge

Implies a separation or deviation in their visual characteristics.

they don't resemble each other

Indicates a lack of similarity in their overall appearance.

they diverge in aspect

Suggests difference in the impression they give.

FAQs

How can I use "they look different" in a sentence?

You can use "they look different" to point out visual differences between people, objects, or concepts. For example, "Although the twins are identical, "they look different" when one wears glasses."

What's a more formal alternative to "they look different"?

More formal alternatives include "they appear dissimilar", "they present a contrast", or "their appearance varies".

Is it correct to say "they look differently"?

No, the correct phrase is "they look different". "Different" is an adjective describing their appearance, not an adverb modifying the verb "look".

How does context affect the meaning of "they look different"?

The context determines what aspects of their appearance are being contrasted. It could refer to style, age, health, or other observable characteristics. The specific context should make the comparison clear.