look vs look like

[Daltomaciel]

Look this case:

They look either Spanish or Mexican.

Is it correct?

or would be better to say:

They look like either Spanish or Mexican.

[Barb_D]

No, your first choice is correct.
Or: They look as though they could be Spanish or Mexican.

[Daltomaciel]

I agree about the first one, but I dont know why.
I've learned that I must to use "look" when I want to talk about his/her physical appearance or facial expression.
eg: You look tired.

And I've learned that I must to use "look like" when I want to do some comparison.
eg: you look like your mother.

But my first example says: They look either Spanish or Mexican.
To me this is more a comparison than a facial expression.

I wait for more explanations.

[Yankee]

Hi daltomaciel

Your sentence uses the words 'Spanish' and 'Mexican' as adjectives, and that is what typically follows this particular usage of 'look'.

- That picture looks crooked.
- The sky looks threatening.
- His girlfriend looks glamorous.
- That sombrero looks Mexican.

On the other hand, 'look like' is usually followed by a noun/pronoun, or a whole clause:

- That picture looks like it is about to fall.
- The sky looks like a sea of black clouds.
- His girlfriend looks like Marilyn Monroe.
- That sombrero looks like it was made in Mexico.