appear not to

USAGE SUMMARY

"appear not to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this sentence structure when you are indicating that something is likely not true or not happening, even though there is no definitive evidence to prove it. Example: "He appeared not to have noticed the mistake he made."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the girls appear not to notice.

Independent

But they appear not to believe themselves.

The Economist

The victims appear not to struggle.

Independent

The boys appear not to be happy.

The Guardian - Books

They "appear not to know that they are ugly".

The New Yorker

The remarks appear not to have swayed Mr. Kimmage.

The New York Times

However, many of them appear not to have noticed.

The Guardian - Sport

They appear not to be struggling with dehydration.

The New York Times

"However, some organisms appear not to have sex at all.

Independent

Today's younger workers appear not to think so.

The Economist

And important allies appear not to have delivered.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "appear not to" when you want to express a subjective observation without stating it as a definitive fact. This is especially useful when you lack concrete evidence but have a strong impression.

Common error

While "appear not to" is acceptable in most contexts, avoid overusing it in highly formal or scientific writing. Opt for more precise and direct language when possible to maintain clarity and conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appear not to" functions as a verb phrase that typically introduces a clause expressing a perceived lack of something. As Ludwig indicates, it suggests a subjective impression without definitive proof, similar to examples like, "The girls appear not to notice."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "appear not to" is a versatile verb phrase used to express a perceived lack of something without making a definitive statement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Science sources, maintaining a neutral register. When using this phrase, remember to consider alternative expressions like "seem not to" or "show no sign of" for subtle variations in meaning. While generally acceptable, avoid overuse in highly formal contexts where more precise language is preferred.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not appear to

A slightly shorter variant, omitting the verb "be".

seem not to

Replaces "appear" with "seem", offering a slightly different nuance regarding the perceived impression.

do not seem to

Emphasizes the lack of visible indication, reversing the structure of "appear not to".

give no indication of

Focuses on the absence of signals or clues suggesting something is happening.

show no sign of

Highlights the absence of visible evidence or symptoms, implying something is not present or occurring.

fail to demonstrate

Stresses the lack of evidence or proof supporting a particular action or condition.

evince no

A more formal way of saying "show no", indicating an absence of exhibited qualities or feelings.

look not to

Focuses on the visual aspect of not appearing in a certain way.

suggest nothing of

Emphasizes that there is no hint or implication of something being the case.

bear no semblance of

Indicates a complete lack of similarity or resemblance to something.

FAQs

How can I use "appear not to" in a sentence?

You can use "appear not to" to express an observation or impression that something is not the case, even without definitive proof. For example, "The students "appear not to be" engaged in the lecture" suggests a lack of engagement based on observation.

What are some alternatives to "appear not to"?

Alternatives include phrases like "seem not to", "do not seem to", or "show no sign of", which can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "appear not to" or "doesn't appear to"?

"Appear not to" is grammatically correct, but "doesn't appear to" is often more common and natural-sounding in contemporary English. The choice depends on the context and the desired level of formality.

What is the difference between "appear not to" and "seem not to"?

While both are similar, "appear" often implies a visual impression, whereas "seem" can refer to a more general or inferred sense. For example, "He "appears not to notice"" suggests a visual observation, while "He "seems not to care"" implies an inferred lack of concern.