appear to agree

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appear to agree" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone seems to have a consensus or shared opinion on a matter, though it may not be definitive. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, the committee members appear to agree on the proposed changes to the policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Republicans appear to agree.

The New York Times

Investors appear to agree with his reasoning.

The Economist

Investors in his company appear to agree.

The New York Times

Wall Street analysts appear to agree.

The New York Times

Students across the country appear to agree.

The New York Times

The new residents appear to agree.

The Guardian

Many business executives appear to agree.

The New York Times

Mike Newell would appear to agree.

The Guardian - Sport

A growing number of the rich appear to agree.

The Economist

Some members of the armed forces appear to agree.

The Economist

The editors of the Merriam-Webster dictionary appear to agree.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "appear to agree" when you want to suggest a consensus or shared opinion without stating it as a definite fact. This is particularly useful when you cannot confirm that everyone explicitly agrees, but their actions or statements indicate agreement.

Common error

Avoid using "appear to agree" when there is clear evidence of dissent or disagreement. This phrase is best used when there's a reasonable basis to believe agreement exists, even if not explicitly stated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appear to agree" functions as a qualifying expression, indicating a perceived consensus or shared opinion without asserting it as a confirmed fact. As Ludwig AI indicates, it suggests a tentative agreement based on available evidence. Examples show its use across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

15%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "appear to agree" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a perceived consensus without definitive confirmation. As Ludwig AI shows, its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across reliable sources, especially in News & Media contexts, affirm its suitability in various writing styles. When using this phrase, be cautious not to overstate actual agreement and instead maintain precision. Consider replacing it with alternatives like "seem to agree" or "appear to concur" based on the desired formality level.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seem to agree

Replaces "appear" with "seem", offering a slightly less formal tone but maintaining the same core meaning.

appear to concur

Substitutes "agree" with "concur", introducing a more formal register.

appear to be in accord

Uses a more formal term, "accord", to indicate agreement or harmony.

look to be in agreement

Uses a more descriptive and less direct way to indicate agreement.

seem to be in consensus

Emphasizes a group agreement or shared opinion.

appear to be aligned

Focuses on alignment rather than direct agreement, implying a shared direction or goal.

appear to share the same view

Focuses on sharing a common perspective rather than a direct agreement.

appear to be of one mind

Suggests a complete unity of thought or opinion.

give the impression of agreeing

Highlights the impression given, rather than stating outright agreement.

suggest agreement

Offers a weaker, more indirect indication of agreement.

FAQs

How can I use "appear to agree" in a sentence?

Use "appear to agree" to suggest a consensus or shared opinion that is not definitively confirmed. For instance, "The experts "appear to agree" on the need for further research".

What's a more formal alternative to "appear to agree"?

A more formal alternative is "appear to concur". This substitutes the word "agree" with "concur", which is typically used in more formal contexts.

Is it correct to say "appears to agree" instead of "appear to agree"?

Yes, "appears to agree" is correct when referring to a singular subject. For example, "The analyst "appears to agree" with the company's strategy".

What is the difference between "seem to agree" and "appear to agree"?

"Seem to agree" and ""appear to agree"" are largely interchangeable. Both indicate a perception of agreement, but "seem" might suggest a slightly stronger impression based on available evidence.