things look promising

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "things look promising" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing optimism or a positive outlook about a situation or outcome. Example: "After reviewing the initial results of the project, I can confidently say that things look promising for our future success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Initially, things look promising.

The Guardian - Tech

On the one hand, things look promising.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Things look promising, but we can't see much more.

The Guardian

Inflation expectations then rise, employment and hiring recover, and things look promising again.

The Economist

Only for a decade or two after 1945 did things look promising.

The Economist

Although things look promising so far, two things in particular need further testing, says Leslie Bowie, ABM's director of research.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

For a time, things looked promising.

Independent

There was a time when things looked promising for Gavin Dutchin.

The New York Times

FRIDAY, OCT. 5 Back on home turf in Los Angeles, things looked promising.

The New York Times

Once there, Phil (an electrician, helpfully) connected up my best friend and things looked promising.

The Guardian - Music

But even as I sat on the Underground on my way to the Ladies' Market, things looked promising.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "things look promising", ensure the context provides clear indicators of the positive outlook. Avoid vague or unsubstantiated claims.

Common error

Avoid using "things look promising" when the situation is uncertain or has potential downsides. Be realistic and temper expectations appropriately.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "things look promising" functions as an idiomatic expression used to convey a positive assessment or prediction about a situation. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "things look promising" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to convey optimism and a positive outlook. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used in news, business, and general contexts. While versatile, it's best to avoid overstating the promise when uncertainty remains. Alternatives such as "prospects are encouraging" or "the "outlook is optimistic"" may suit more formal settings. Remember to provide clear indicators of the positive outlook to avoid vague claims.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there's potential for success

This alternative emphasizes the possibility of achieving a favorable outcome.

the outlook is optimistic

This emphasizes a generally positive expectation.

prospects are encouraging

This alternative highlights the encouraging nature of the prospects or possibilities.

there's reason for optimism

This alternative highlights the justification for a positive feeling.

we're on the right track

This alternative implies progress and a positive direction.

the future appears bright

This alternative emphasizes a positive outlook for the future.

the signs are good

This alternative refers to positive indicators or signals.

the situation is favorable

This suggests that the current circumstances are advantageous.

it bodes well

A more formal and concise way to express a positive prediction.

circumstances are auspicious

A more formal way of saying that the circumstances are favorable for success.

FAQs

How can I use "things look promising" in a sentence?

You can use "things look promising" to express optimism about a situation's potential outcome. For example, "After the initial trials, things look promising for the new treatment."

What's a more formal way to say "things look promising"?

For a more formal tone, consider saying "prospects are encouraging" or "the "outlook is optimistic"".

What can I say instead of "things look promising" when the situation is still uncertain?

If the situation is uncertain, you might say "there's potential for success" or "the initial results are encouraging, but it's too early to tell."

Is "things look promising" suitable for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "things look promising" might be considered too informal for some academic contexts. Using phrases like "the indicators suggest a positive trend" or "early results show potential" may be more appropriate.