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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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unsightly

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "unsightly" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective used to describe something that is unpleasant or unattractive in appearance. Example sentence: The old, run-down building had an unsightly appearance.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ebert was conflicted – it offended him to preface his article with such a warning, not least because the NSFW label was, as he put it, an "unsightly typographical offence", but mostly because it "would contradict the point I was making", namely that he was opposed to American puritanism, preferring Europe's supposed festive nudearama.

News & Media

The Guardian

They might seem like an unsightly addition to your prize-winning public space, with their low-slung jeans and strangely oversized trainers, but, just like bats and great crested newts, skateboarders hold a lot of sway when it comes to planning applications.

So there is much to like, but how to solve your problem, particuarly as hard renovation can make pyracantha more vulnerable to the unsightly bacterial disease fireblight?

Isabel Soares, a renewable energy consultant from Lisbon, decided last year to turn this unsightly reality into an opportunity.

The word alone is enough to make them break out in an unsightly rash.

The industry fears its choked-up roads and unsightly centre are making it more difficult to attract workers who could earn as much in Houston or Stavanger.An independent Scotland would start life with a large budget deficit.

News & Media

The Economist

Indeed, the financial crash and American clumsiness and miscalculations, especially under George Bush, have shown up liberal democracy as an unsightly blend of ideology and hypocrisy.That may be an accurate description of popular belief in some areas of the world, though in India, parts of Africa and eastern Europe, Mr Bush was a lot more popular than he was in western Europe and the Arab world.

News & Media

The Economist

For example, they don't like the fact that right now Union Station's existing platforms have unsightly and inconvenient columns in the middle of them.

News & Media

The Economist

And they are taxed so heavily that they rarely have any surplus cash to invest.Mr Meles is said to be pondering the idea of promoting private property rights, but the conventional wisdom among his officials is that, if peasants could sell their land, they would do so immediately, drink the proceeds and head for the cities, where they would become an unsightly and potentially disruptive underclass.

News & Media

The Economist

Don't ask.The mess is not just unsightly; unwary trespassers can pick up E. Coli, or contract shigellosis and hepatitis, by dabbling in the babbling brook.

News & Media

The Economist

At least that is what McDonald's suggested in a mid-July press release.That account however overlooks an important and perhaps unsightly fact.

News & Media

The Economist
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing something as "unsightly", be specific about what makes it visually unappealing. For example, instead of saying "The building was unsightly", try "The building's peeling paint and boarded-up windows made it unsightly".

Common error

Avoid pairing "unsightly" with overly dramatic or emotional language. While "unsightly" implies a negative aesthetic judgment, excessive hyperbole can weaken your writing. Instead of "The unsightly mess was a nightmare", opt for a more balanced description.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

86%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The word "unsightly" functions primarily as an adjective. It modifies nouns, describing their visual appearance as unpleasant or unattractive. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term is grammatically correct and readily usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Encyclopedias

14%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "unsightly" describes something visually unpleasant or unattractive. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. This analysis shows it's most frequently used in News & Media and Encyclopedias. Related phrases include "unattractive", "ugly", and "visually offensive", offering nuanced alternatives. When using "unsightly", remember to be specific about the visual flaws and avoid overly emotional language. Overall, "unsightly" is a useful adjective for expressing negative aesthetic judgments in a clear and effective way.

FAQs

How can I use "unsightly" in a sentence?

You can use "unsightly" to describe anything displeasing to the eye. For example: "The "unsightly weeds" ruined the garden's appearance" or "The factory was an "unsightly building" in the middle of the neighborhood".

What's a less formal way to say "unsightly"?

Less formal alternatives to "unsightly" include "ugly", "unattractive", or "not easy on the eye", depending on the context.

What is the difference between "unsightly" and "disgusting"?

"Unsightly" refers specifically to visual unpleasantness. "Disgusting" refers to something that causes revulsion, which can be visual, olfactory, or otherwise. An item can be "unsightly" without being "disgusting", and vice versa.

What's an antonym for "unsightly"?

An antonym for "unsightly" is "beautiful". Other options include "attractive" and "pleasing to the eye".

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Source & Trust

86%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: