appear as though

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appear as though" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or condition that seems to be true based on observation or perception. Example: "The sky appears as though it might rain soon, with dark clouds gathering overhead."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Others appear as though they are waiting to be convinced.

The New Yorker

"It doesn't appear as though it's actually doing any better.

The Guardian

"It likes to appear as though it's crazy.

The New York Times

The goal is make the subjects appear "as though something important has just happened," she explains.

The Washington Post

Trouble factor: It doesn't appear as though Trump faces further legal exposure.

The Washington Post

Mr. Barrett does not appear as though he'll have quite enough of a case.

The New York Times

He makes it appear as though gold makes the world go round.

The New York Times

All were arranged to appear as though somebody had just left.

The New York Times

The widow cried and wiped her eyes and tried to appear as though she was happy.

The New York Times

This could inadvertently make it appear as though you were careless in the formatting and composition of your resume.

Yale University

He said the description from police made it appear as though Childress wanted officers to shoot him.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "appear as though" to convey an impression based on observation, but be mindful that it doesn't guarantee the accuracy of that impression. The phrase suggests a perception rather than a confirmed fact.

Common error

Avoid using "appear as though" when you want to express absolute certainty. The phrase inherently implies a degree of uncertainty or perception rather than established fact. Choose stronger verbs if you aim to express certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appear as though" functions as a prepositional phrase, often used to introduce a clause that expresses a perception or impression. It indicates how something seems based on observation, without necessarily confirming its truth. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "appear as though" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to convey a sense of something seeming to be the case based on observation or available information. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, including news, academia, and general writing. While it is often interchangeable with phrases like "seem as if" or "look as if", it's crucial to remember that it introduces a degree of uncertainty and should not be used when expressing absolute certainty. Overall, "appear as though" is a valuable tool for expressing perceptions and tentative conclusions in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seem as if

Emphasizes the impression or feeling that something is the case.

look as if

Focuses on the visual aspect, suggesting something appears a certain way.

seem to be

A simpler alternative, focusing on the perceived state of something.

give the impression of

Highlights the act of creating a particular image or feeling.

look to be

Similar to 'seem to be', but with a stronger visual emphasis.

create the semblance of

Suggests a superficial or deceptive appearance.

have the air of

Indicates a particular quality or atmosphere that something projects.

present the facade of

Implies an intentionally misleading appearance.

strike one as

Focuses on the immediate impression something makes.

portray the image of

Emphasizes the act of deliberately showing something in a specific way.

FAQs

How can I use "appear as though" in a sentence?

Use "appear as though" to describe something that seems to be the case based on available evidence, but might not actually be true. For example, "The sky "appears as though" it will rain."

What's the difference between "seem like" and "appear as though"?

"Seem like" often suggests a general impression, while "appear as though" implies a visual observation that leads to an impression. However, they are often interchangeable.

Is it better to say "appear as if" or "appear as though"?

Both "appear as if" and "appear as though" are grammatically correct and convey the same meaning. The choice between them is a matter of personal preference.

What can I say instead of "appear as though" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "give the impression of" or "create the semblance of" depending on the intended nuance.