appear to be affected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appear to be affected" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the perception or observation of someone or something being influenced or impacted by a particular factor. Example: "The patients in the study appear to be affected by the new treatment, showing significant improvement in their symptoms."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Android users did not appear to be affected.

The Washington Post

He didn't appear to be affected by anything.

Independent

Men and women appear to be affected by a sense of unfairness differently, the researchers reported.

The New York Times - Health

Microsoft's Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator/Communicator do not appear to be affected by this flaw.

Cornell University

Accuracy does not appear to be affected but this may be due to design issues.

Exercise-Cognition Interaction Neuroscience Perspectives

None of the BBC's television or radio broadcasts appear to be affected.

Independent

PARENTING has obvious effects on mothers, but fathers appear to be affected, too.

The Economist

Not all phones and computers appear to be affected by the bug.

Independent

Ram doesn't appear to be affected by the conflicts caused by his decision to have two wives.

The Guardian - Books

In fact, Michael Y . Cannon a real estate appraiser, said prices do not appear to be affected.

The New York Times

The apps for iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS do not appear to be affected by this problem.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "appear to be affected", ensure the context clearly identifies the cause or agent of the effect. This provides clarity and strengthens the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "appear to be affected" when there is concrete, measurable evidence of impact. Reserve it for situations where the effect is suspected but not definitively proven.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appear to be affected" functions as a linking verb phrase expressing a subjective observation or a tentative assessment of influence or impact. It connects a subject to a state of being that suggests something is being influenced, without definitively stating it as fact, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "appear to be affected" is a versatile and commonly used expression for indicating a perceived influence or impact. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread application across diverse contexts. While alternatives like "seem to be impacted" and "look to be influenced" offer subtle shifts in emphasis, the core meaning remains consistent. When employing this phrase, clarity regarding the cause of the effect is crucial, and overstating certainty should be avoided. As Ludwig's examples show, "appear to be affected" is a valuable tool for expressing tentative observations in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appear to be influenced

Replaces "affected" with "influenced", specifying the type of impact.

appear to be impacted

Replaces "affected" with "impacted", emphasizing a strong effect.

seem to be impacted

Replaces "appear" with "seem", emphasizing a subjective observation of being affected.

appear to be changed

Replaces "affected" with "changed", focusing on the fact of transformation.

look to be influenced

Substitutes "appear" with "look", highlighting a visual assessment of influence.

appear to be altered

Substitutes "affected" with "altered", suggesting a change in form or nature.

appear to be compromised

Replaces "affected" with "compromised", indicating a negative impact on functionality or integrity.

seem to be touched

Uses "touched" metaphorically to describe a lighter influence or impact.

appear to undergo

Uses "undergo" instead of "be affected" to imply a process of being influenced.

appear to experience

Uses "experience" instead of "be affected" to convey a direct engagement with the impact.

FAQs

How can I use "appear to be affected" in a sentence?

Use "appear to be affected" to indicate a perceived or observed influence without stating it as a definite fact. For instance, "The plants appear to be affected by the lack of sunlight."

What are some alternatives to "appear to be affected"?

You can use alternatives like "seem to be impacted", "look to be influenced", or "appear to be influenced" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "appear to be affected" or "is affected"?

Use "appear to be affected" when you want to express an observation or suspicion without definitive proof. Use "is affected" when you have concrete evidence.

What is the difference between "appear to be affected" and "seem to be affected"?

The difference between "appear to be affected" and "seem to be affected" is minimal. Both convey a similar sense of observation, but "appear" often suggests a more visual assessment, while "seem" can be based on a broader range of perceptions.