this looks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this looks" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase can be used to indicate an opinion about something that has been seen. For example: "I just saw the new trailer for the movie. This looks like it's going to be really good!".

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Reference

Social Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, this looks tricky.

The Economist

"This looks fine".

The New York Times

This looks easy.

The Economist

This looks pretty feeble.

The Economist

But this looks unsustainable.

The Economist

Yet this looks unlikely.

The Economist

This looks more promising.

The Economist

This looks rational.

The Economist

This looks like grandstanding.

The Economist

"This looks so delicious.

The New Yorker

Yet this looks impossible.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this looks" when you want to express a subjective opinion based on visual assessment. Tailor the adjective following "this looks" to precisely convey the nuance of your observation, such as "This looks promising" or "This looks complicated".

Common error

Avoid using "this looks" excessively in formal writing where a more objective or analytical assessment is required. Instead, opt for phrases like "it appears to be" or "the data suggests" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this looks" functions as a subject + verb + adjective/adverbial complement construction. It serves to express an opinion or assessment based on a visual observation. As stated by Ludwig AI, this is perfectly correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

12%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this looks" is a versatile and commonly used phrase for expressing an opinion based on visual assessment. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for a wide range of situations. While its register is generally neutral, it's important to consider the context and audience when choosing between "this looks" and more formal alternatives. Remember to tailor the adjective following "this looks" to precisely convey the nuance of your observation. By paying attention to context and register, you can effectively use "this looks" to communicate your perceptions with clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it seems like

Similar in meaning, but slightly more informal and implies a degree of uncertainty.

that seems

Similar in meaning, but the subject is changed from 'it' to 'that'.

it appears to be

Offers a more formal tone and emphasizes the tentative nature of the observation.

that appears

Similar to 'it appears to be', but the subject is changed from 'it' to 'that'.

it has the look of

Emphasizes the visual aspect and implies a resemblance to something else.

it strikes me as

Indicates a personal impression or feeling about something.

from what I can see

Highlights the limited perspective or information available.

it gives the impression of

Focuses on the overall impression created by something.

by all appearances

Suggests that the observation is based on superficial evidence.

one might think

Introduces a speculative or hypothetical assessment.

FAQs

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

You can use "this looks" to express an opinion based on visual observation. For example, "This looks delicious", or "this looks complicated".

What are some alternatives to "this looks"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "it appears to be", "it seems like", or "it strikes me as".

Is "this looks" formal or informal?

"This looks" is generally considered informal or neutral. In more formal contexts, consider using alternatives such as "it appears" or "it seems".

What's the difference between "this looks good" and "this seems good"?

"This looks good" is based on visual assessment, while "this seems good" implies a judgment based on more general information or reasoning. The first is a first impression, the second goes beyond that.