would look better

USAGE SUMMARY

"would look better" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are expressing an opinion about something that you think would look better if a certain change were made. For example: "The room would look better with a new paint job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Because it would look better".

The New Yorker

"I'm not convinced I would look better.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It would look better in a desert.

The Guardian - Arts

They would look better if they weren't on pointes.

Independent

"He thought it would look better shortened," Ms. Johnson said.

The New York Times

But if we played better defense, it would look better.

The New York Times - Sports

A classic scalloped-edge black tank "would look better on the hanger".

The New York Times

Gabe was right — she was a person who would look better plumper.

The New Yorker

Girls say, 'This would look better on you,' and they swap.

The New York Times

He thought that it would look better than a Trump-Clinton match.

The New Yorker

But if the penalty were taken away, prospects would look better.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When suggesting improvements to designs or presentations, use "would look better" followed by a specific explanation. For example, "The website would look better with a lighter color scheme."

Common error

Avoid simply stating something "would look better" without providing a reason. Always explain why you believe the change would be an improvement. For instance, instead of saying "This photo would look better in black and white", say "This photo would look better in black and white because it would emphasize the contrast and shadows."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would look better" serves as a subjective assessment or recommendation concerning aesthetic improvements. It's often used to express a personal opinion on how something could be enhanced visually. According to Ludwig, this is a grammatically correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "would look better" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase for expressing subjective opinions about aesthetic improvements. It's most frequently found in news and media, as well as informal contexts such as wikis, but can also be applicable in formal or business-related discussions when used appropriately with justification. When using this phrase, it's important to provide clear reasons for your opinion, avoiding vague or unsupported claims. Ludwig provides numerous examples, confirming its versatility and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would be more attractive

Simpler alternative, focusing on attractiveness.

would be more visually appealing

Highlights that it would be more appealing

would have an improved aesthetic

Emphasizes aesthetic improvement.

would gain aesthetic value

Highlights the increase in value based on aesthetics.

would appear superior

Formal alternative emphasizing enhanced visual appeal.

would result in a finer look

Focuses on the end result and it being finer.

would be a visual upgrade

Highlights that it's a significant improvement

would be visually enhanced

Highlights the improvement in visual quality.

would offer a better appearance

Focuses on the offer of enhanced aesthetics.

would present more favorably

Focuses on a more positive presentation.

FAQs

How can I use "would look better" in a sentence?

Use "would look better" to express a subjective opinion about an improvement. For example, "The living room "would look better" with some plants".

What's a less common way to say "would look better"?

Consider alternatives such as "would present more favorably" or "would appear superior", although these are more formal.

Is there a more formal alternative to "would look better"?

Yes, in formal contexts, you can use phrases like "would have an improved aesthetic" or "would be visually enhanced".

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "would look better"?

Avoid using "would look better" in highly objective or technical contexts where subjective aesthetic opinions are not relevant. Instead, focus on measurable improvements.