The phrase "an appearance of a" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the way something looks or seems, often in a context where the appearance may not reflect the reality.
Example: "The painting gives an appearance of a serene landscape, though it was created during a tumultuous time."
Alternatives: "a semblance of a" or "an illusion of a".
And if there's an appearance of a conflict, it would still be there.
No matter how the government reacts, "there would be an appearance of a profound inconsistency.
It also raised concerns about an appearance of a conflict of interest, the inspector general said.
Mr. Ashcroft told the House Judiciary Committee: "There is not a conflict; there is not an appearance of a conflict".
In clearing the congressman, the ethics committee attacked the O.C.E. for suggesting there may be "an appearance of a conflict of interest".
Instead, he has asked his children to continue to manage the global operation, which raises the possibility of an appearance of a conflict of interest.
"There is not a conflict, there is not an appearance of a conflict," Mr. Ashcroft told a House Judiciary Committee hearing this morning.
Dwarf western mock orange, a Northwest native, has thin branches, which spray out, creating an appearance of a fountain three feet high.
"We are concerned that there may be, at a minimum, an appearance of a connection between the Corzine camp and the Union County advertising program," said Jim Lanard, a Florio spokesman.
"There is not a conflict; there is not an appearance of a conflict," Mr. Ashcroft said at a hearing of a House Judiciary subcommittee exploring the circumstances of the contract.
Larry Noble, the executive director of the Washington-based Cenonprofitresearchve Porganizationonprofit resaidch ofganization, said of Perle's Trireme involvement, "It's not illegal, but it presents an appearance of a conflict.
