Seems tall

USAGE SUMMARY

'Seems tall' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is usually used to express the perception of someone or something being tall in comparison to others. For example: He looks rather short, but his brother seems tall.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Mr. Stern is a short, trim man, and yet he always seems tall.

The New York Times

I know he seems tall on TV, but he's even taller in person.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

He seems taller than everyone else in the room.

The New Yorker

Randy Johnson is 39, listed at 6-foot-10 (though he seems taller), 232 pounds and built like a stick figure.

The New York Times - Magazine

He's only around five feet eight, but he seems taller, because he stands with his chest out and his back straight, as if held up by a string.

The New Yorker

I can say, for starters, he seems taller than seven feet.

Huffington Post

Situation the fillet with the shorter edges at the top and bottom, so that the fillet seems taller rather than wider.

WikiHow

The 6-foot-6 Querrey said Karlovic seemed "tall, but just another guy out there".

The New York Times - Sports

The son seemed tall, too, but you couldn't really say for sure, as he was confined to a wheelchair.

The New Yorker

The Macoutes had a synchronized look, a coarse veneer that made the thin ones seem stocky, the short ones seem tall.

The New Yorker

I took my uncle to father-daughter night at school, and I viewed the fathers of my friends with some skepticism — they seemed tall and vapid, much less dynamic than the mothers.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Seems tall" to describe a subjective impression of height, not necessarily an objective measurement. For instance, use it when someone looks taller than they actually are.

Common error

Avoid using "Seems tall" when referring to confirmed, objective height measurements. Instead, use it to express a perception or impression of height.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Seems tall" primarily functions as a descriptive element within a sentence, attributing a perceived quality of height. Ludwig AI confirms its proper grammatical usage, indicating that it effectively conveys a subjective assessment of someone or something's height.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Science

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "Seems tall" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe the subjective impression of height. Ludwig confirms its validity, and its versatility allows it to fit into various contexts, mainly news and media. While seemingly simple, it’s important to remember that this phrase conveys perception, not necessarily fact, avoiding confusion with objective measurements. Alternatives like "appears tall" or "looks tall" can be used to add nuance, but the core message remains consistent: the height is perceived rather than definitively measured.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Appears tall

Replaces "seems" with "appears", indicating a visual impression.

Looks tall

Substitutes "seems" with "looks", emphasizing visual assessment.

Is perceived as tall

Highlights the perception by others.

Gives the impression of being tall

More descriptive, highlighting the impression created.

Projects a tall image

Focuses on the image or impression conveyed.

Presents as tall

Indicates how someone or something is perceived.

Conveys a sense of height

Focuses on the feeling or sense of being tall.

Elicits a feeling of tallness

Highlights that "tallness" is subjective.

Has a tall stature

More formal, emphasizing physical height.

Exudes tallness

This describes the act of something that expresses tallness.

FAQs

How can I use "Seems tall" in a sentence?

You can use "Seems tall" to describe someone or something that gives an impression of being tall, like "He's actually quite short, but he "seems tall" because of his posture".

What are some alternatives to "Seems tall"?

Alternatives include "appears tall", "looks tall", or "is perceived as tall", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "Seems tall"?

Yes, "Seems tall" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe the impression of height.

What's the difference between "Seems tall" and "Is tall"?

"Seems tall" suggests a subjective impression, while "Is tall" implies an objective measurement of height. For example, "He "seems tall"" might be used even if the person's actual height is average, whereas "He is tall" would be used if he's demonstrably above average height.