to be looked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be looked" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express the idea of something needing to be examined or considered, but it lacks proper context and structure. Example: "The issue is still pending and needs to be looked into further."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Better not to be looked at.

The New Yorker

Everything has to be looked at together".

The New York Times

"That has to be looked at".

Independent

They exist only to be looked at.

Independent

It's got to be looked at.

Independent

They need to be looked at again".

The New York Times

But it needs to be looked at.

The Guardian

That's what needs to be looked into".

The New York Times

This needs to be looked at".

The Guardian

All aspects need to be looked at.

The Guardian - Sport

We need orphans to be looked after.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the phrase "to be looked" is followed by a preposition like 'at', 'into', 'after', or 'over' to clarify its meaning and provide grammatical correctness. For example, use "to be looked at" when something needs visual inspection or consideration.

Common error

Avoid using "to be looked" without a preposition. This incomplete construction lacks a clear object and often sounds awkward or grammatically incorrect. Always add a preposition (e.g. "to be looked at", "to be looked into") to complete the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be looked" functions as part of a passive infinitive construction. However, it usually requires a preposition to complete its meaning. Without a preposition, it is considered grammatically incomplete, as noted by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "to be looked" appears frequently in various sources, Ludwig AI marks it as grammatically incorrect in isolation. The phrase requires a preposition to complete its meaning and function correctly, such as "to be looked at" or "to be looked into". Its primary contexts are in news and media, with a generally neutral register. Ensure the phrase is completed with a preposition to avoid grammatical errors and ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be examined

Replaces 'looked' with 'examined', emphasizing a more formal or detailed inspection.

to be considered

Shifts the focus to thoughtful evaluation rather than visual inspection.

to be investigated

Implies a systematic inquiry or formal probing of something.

to be assessed

Suggests an evaluation or judgment, often in a professional or technical context.

to be reviewed

Focuses on a critical appraisal or re-evaluation of something already known.

to be inspected

Emphasizes a careful and formal visual check for quality or compliance.

to be scrutinized

Suggests a thorough and critical examination, often in response to suspicion or doubt.

to be analyzed

Indicates a detailed examination to understand the nature or structure of something.

to be attended to

Shifts the focus to providing care, help, or assistance rather than inspection.

to be taken care of

Emphasizes the need for someone or something to receive proper attention and management.

FAQs

How to use "to be looked at" in a sentence?

The phrase "to be looked at" implies something needs visual inspection or consideration. For instance, "The painting is meant "to be looked at" for its intricate details."

What does "to be looked into" mean?

"To be looked into" means something requires further investigation or examination. An example is, "The matter needs "to be looked into" by the authorities."

When should I use "to be examined" instead of "to be looked at"?

Use "to be examined" for formal or detailed inspections, often by experts. "To be looked at" is more general. For example, a doctor examines a patient, while a tourist looks at a landmark.

What's the difference between "to be considered" and "to be looked at"?

"To be considered" means to thoughtfully evaluate, while "to be looked at" typically refers to a visual assessment or something that invites attention. An applicant wants to be considered for a job, while a work of art wants "to be looked at".