apparently was

USAGE SUMMARY

"apparently was" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when indicating something that seems to be true based on available evidence or observation. Example: "She apparently was the last person to see him." Alternative expressions include "seemingly was" and "reportedly was."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It, apparently, was testosterone.

The New York Times - Sports

Moore, apparently, was unhelpful.

The New Yorker

That apparently was the case.

The New York Times

So, apparently, was Dr. Andersen.

The New York Times - Science

And that, apparently, was that.

Independent

Nothing, apparently, was forgiven, either.

The New York Times - Books

That, apparently, was not stressful.

The Economist

She apparently was unemployed.

The Washington Post

So, apparently, was Dalembert.

The New York Times - Sports

The paperwork apparently was lost.

The Washington Post

It apparently was for Wade.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "apparently was" when you want to convey that something appears to be true based on the available information, but you're not stating it as a definitive fact.

Common error

Avoid using "apparently was" when you have concrete evidence. Instead, use more definitive language to reflect the level of certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "apparently was" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating the speaker's or writer's assessment of a situation or statement based on available evidence. Ludwig examples show its use in conveying that something seems to be the case.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "apparently was" is a versatile phrase used to indicate something that seems to be true based on available evidence, without asserting it as a definitive fact. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and very common, particularly in news and media. When using this phrase, be mindful of the level of certainty you wish to convey and avoid overstating claims. Alternatives like "seemingly was" or "reportedly was" can provide subtle differences in meaning, depending on the context. The neutral register makes it suitable for various writing styles, but always ensure it aligns with the desired level of formality and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seemingly was

Replaces "apparently" with "seemingly", offering a direct synonym with minimal change in meaning.

evidently was

Substitutes "apparently" with "evidently", suggesting that something is clear or obvious from the evidence.

ostensibly was

Uses "ostensibly" instead of "apparently", implying that something appears to be true but might not be.

reportedly was

Replaces "apparently" with "reportedly", indicating that the information comes from a report or source.

allegedly was

Substitutes "apparently" with "allegedly", suggesting that something is claimed to be true but has not been proven.

presumptively was

Uses "presumptively" instead of "apparently", conveying that something is assumed to be true based on probability.

superficially was

Replaces "apparently" with "superficially", indicating that something was true on the surface but potentially not in reality.

outwardly was

Substitutes "apparently" with "outwardly", focusing on the external appearance of something.

demonstrably was

Replaces "apparently" with "demonstrably", indicating that something can be clearly shown or proven.

visibly was

Substitutes "apparently" with "visibly", suggesting that something was easily seen or noticed.

FAQs

How can I use "apparently was" in a sentence?

You can use "apparently was" to indicate something that seems to be the case based on the information available. For example, "He apparently was the last person to see her" suggests that it seems he was the last person, but it's not confirmed.

What are some alternatives to "apparently was"?

Alternatives include "seemingly was", "evidently was", or "reportedly was", each offering a slightly different nuance in meaning.

Is it correct to use "apparently was" in formal writing?

Yes, "apparently was" is acceptable in formal writing, especially when you need to convey information based on observation or indirect evidence. However, be mindful of the context and choose alternatives like "evidently was" for greater formality.

What's the difference between "apparently was" and "obviously was"?

"Apparently was" suggests something appears to be true based on available information, while "obviously was" indicates something is easily perceived or understood. "Obviously was" implies a higher degree of certainty than "apparently was".