It appears

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "It appears" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something seems to be true based on the information available, but you are not completely certain. Example: "It appears that the meeting has been rescheduled to next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It appears to.

The New Yorker

It appears deliberately misleading.

The Economist

It appears not.

The New York Times

It appears to be buoyant".

The New York Times

It appears to be sandpaper.

The New York Times - Sports

"It appears to be collusion.

The New York Times

It appears that Smithfield agrees.

The New York Times

It appears on your passport".

The New York Times

It appears that I'm wrong.

The New York Times

It appears not yet, anyway.

Independent

It appears in fractal theory.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "It appears" to introduce an observation or conclusion that is likely true but not definitively proven, allowing for a degree of uncertainty or further investigation.

Common error

Avoid using "It appears" when you have concrete, irrefutable evidence. The phrase implies a degree of uncertainty that is inappropriate when the facts are definitively known.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "It appears" functions as an evidential marker, signaling that a statement is based on observation or inference rather than direct knowledge. As Ludwig AI highlights, it introduces a degree of uncertainty or possibility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Academia

7%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "It appears" is a versatile phrase used to introduce statements based on observation or inference. As indicated by Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is correct, and it's commonly found in news and media contexts. While it conveys a degree of uncertainty, it is suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using "It appears", ensure that you're not overstating certainty when more definitive evidence exists. Alternatives like "It seems" or "It is evident" can be used to fine-tune the level of certainty conveyed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

It seems

Replaces "appears" with "seems", offering a slightly less formal tone while retaining the core meaning.

It would seem

Adds a conditional aspect, suggesting the conclusion is based on inference rather than direct observation.

It would appear

Adds a conditional aspect, suggesting the conclusion is based on inference rather than direct observation.

It is apparent

Emphasizes the clarity or obviousness of the situation.

It is evident

Highlights the conspicuous nature of the evidence supporting the observation.

It is clear

Indicates a straightforward understanding or lack of ambiguity.

It suggests

Focuses on the implication or hint conveyed by the evidence.

It indicates

Points to a specific sign or signal that supports the conclusion.

One can infer

Highlights the act of drawing a conclusion based on reasoning or evidence.

The evidence suggests

Emphasizes the role of the evidence in guiding the conclusion.

FAQs

How to use "It appears" in a sentence?

"It appears" is generally used to introduce a statement that seems true based on the available information, but isn't definitively confirmed. For example, "It appears that the meeting has been rescheduled".

What can I say instead of "It appears"?

You can use alternatives like "It seems", "It would appear", or "It is evident" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "It appears" or "It appears that"?

Both are correct, but "It appears that" is often used when followed by a clause, providing a smoother transition. For example, "It appears that he has left the building".

What's the difference between "It appears" and "It is"?

"It is" states a fact, while "It appears" suggests an observation or inference based on evidence that may not be conclusive. "It is" conveys more certainty than "It appears".