which looks like

USAGE SUMMARY

"which looks like" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that resembles another object or thing. For example, "This plant has soft spines which look like feathers."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Rxe3, which looks like it also wins.

The New Yorker

from Temiguilapan, which looks like moss?

University of California, Berkeley

The ozone content after sunrise in Antarctica is found to have reduction which looks like "ozone hole".

Advances in Space Research

Rotors and a generator are both mounted on the kite, which looks like a small plane.

Harvard University

This is not an isothermal, which looks like that, it's an adiabatic process.

Yale University

A radiologist or ultrasound technician places an ultrasound transducer, which looks like a microphone.

Harvard University

Donald even made a gilded carriage, which looks like a Disney fantasy in photographs.

The New York Times

And cobblestones clad Mr. Stillman's new garage, which looks like a treasure vault for gnomes.

The New York Times

The other emergency is the triumphal procession in "Aida," which looks like a Vegas floor show.

The New Yorker

The automobile, which looks like a 1935 Auburn boattail speedster, was unveiled at the Plaza Hotel.

The New Yorker

The kitchen, which looks like something out of "The Jetsons," is also a place of togetherness.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your sentence structure by occasionally using alternatives like "that resembles" or "that appears to be" to avoid repetition and maintain reader interest.

Common error

Avoid using "which looks like" with overly general comparisons. Instead of saying "The gadget, which looks like a thing," be specific: "The gadget, which looks like a vintage radio, has a retro appeal."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which looks like" functions as a relative clause, specifically a nonrestrictive (or non-defining) relative clause. It provides additional, non-essential information about the noun it modifies, describing its visual appearance or resemblance to something else. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

15%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which looks like" is a versatile phrase used to provide visual descriptions by comparing a subject to something familiar. It functions as a nonrestrictive relative clause, offering additional (but non-essential) information about a noun. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically sound and widely used. It is most frequently found in news and media, but also appears in academic and general contexts. When writing, remember to use specific comparisons to create vivid descriptions and consider alternatives like "that resembles" to vary your sentence structure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that resembles

Highlights a likeness or similarity in appearance, more direct.

that bears a resemblance to

Stresses the similarity in form or structure.

that appears to be

Emphasizes a subjective assessment of visual similarity, slightly more formal.

that is visually similar to

Directly states a similarity in visual characteristics, more descriptive.

that seems like

Focuses on a perceived similarity, implies less certainty.

that mimics the look of

Highlights the intentional imitation of another object's appearance.

that gives the impression of

Highlights the perceived effect or feeling created by the appearance.

that is reminiscent of

Invokes a memory or association based on visual similarities.

that has the appearance of

Formally states the visual characteristic.

that approximates

Implies a close but not exact similarity in appearance.

FAQs

How can I use "which looks like" in a sentence?

Use "which looks like" to add a descriptive detail to a noun, explaining what it resembles. For example: "The device, which looks like a remote control, is actually a sophisticated medical instrument."

What are some alternatives to "which looks like"?

You can use alternatives like "that appears to be", "that resembles", or "that seems like", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "which looks like" or "that looks like"?

Both "which looks like" and "that looks like" can be grammatically correct, depending on the context. "Which" introduces nonrestrictive clauses (adding extra information), while "that" introduces restrictive clauses (essential to the sentence's meaning).

What's the difference between "which looks like" and "which is like"?

"Which looks like" focuses specifically on visual resemblance, while "which is like" can refer to similarities beyond appearance, including function or characteristics. For example, "The tool, which looks like a hammer, is used for carpentry," versus "The experience, which is like a rollercoaster, was thrilling".