I seem to be

USAGE SUMMARY

"I seem to be" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something appears to be true from your perspective. For example, you could say "I seem to be the only person here who doesn't know the answer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I seem to be cursed.

Independent

But I seem to be okay now.

The Guardian

"I seem to be in prison".

The Guardian - Tech

I seem to be popular with women.

The Guardian

"I seem to be getting asked back.

The Guardian - Arts

"I seem to be overcompensating ever since".

The New York Times - Arts

I seem to be doing fine.

The Guardian - Film

Oh dear, I seem to be pregnant".

The Guardian - Books

Now I seem to be centre-right".

The Guardian - Opinion

I seem to be swallowing marbles.

The Guardian

I seem to be really into rhetorical questions today.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I seem to be" to express a tentative observation or conclusion based on available evidence. This conveys a sense of humility and openness to other possibilities.

Common error

While useful, avoid overuse. Too many instances can make your writing sound hesitant. Vary your expressions with stronger, more direct statements when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I seem to be" functions as an introductory clause that softens a statement, conveying a sense of tentativeness or observation rather than absolute certainty. As noted by Ludwig, it suggests something appears to be the case from the speaker's perspective.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I seem to be" is a versatile and commonly used expression to convey a tentative observation or developing understanding. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appropriate in various contexts. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media, reflecting its neutral tone. When writing, use "I seem to be" to express an opinion, avoid overuse, and vary your expressions. Alternatives like "I appear to be" may be useful depending on the specific nuance you aim to convey. The sources show that it is a very common phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I appear to be

Replaces "seem" with "appear", maintaining a similar nuance of perceived reality.

It seems that I am

Restructures the sentence to emphasize the general impression rather than the speaker's direct perception.

I give the impression of being

Focuses on the impression conveyed to others, rather than personal perception.

I look like I am

Emphasizes visual appearance as the basis for the perception.

I come across as

Highlights how the speaker is perceived by others, indicating a presented image.

I'm apparently

Indicates information received from another source, suggesting an indirect understanding.

Evidently, I am

Similar to "apparently", but with a stronger emphasis on visible or obvious evidence.

I would say I am

Introduces a personal assessment or judgement, making the statement subjective.

As far as I can tell, I am

Adds a disclaimer that the observation is based on limited or personal information.

From my perspective, I am

Emphasizes that the statement is based on a personal viewpoint.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "I seem to be" to sound more confident?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "I am", "I am certain that", or "I believe I am". Be sure that you have strong evidence or reasoning before using these more definitive phrases.

Is "I seem to be" formal or informal?

"I seem to be" is generally considered neutral and appropriate for most situations. It is neither overly formal nor overly informal.

What's the difference between "I seem to be" and "I appear to be"?

While very similar, "I appear to be" often suggests a more visual or outward impression, whereas "I seem to be" is broader and can refer to internal states or general impressions.

When should I use "I seem to be" instead of "I am"?

Use "I seem to be" when you want to express uncertainty or a tentative conclusion. Use "I am" when you are stating a fact or something you are sure of.