appear to be doing

USAGE SUMMARY

"appear to be doing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something looks like it is happening, although you are not sure if it actually is happening. For example: "He appeared to be doing his homework, but when I asked him what he was working on, he told me he was just daydreaming."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They also appear to be doing well.

The Economist

Most appear to be doing so legally.

The Economist

Only brothels appear to be doing well.

The Economist

History does appear to be doing just that.

The New York Times

The Chinese appear to be doing the same thing.

The Economist

Analysts say Apple's iPads also appear to be doing well.

The New York Times

(No matter — the cocktails appear to be doing the trick).

The New York Times

So far the younger Beckhams appear to be doing well.

The Guardian - Sport

On the surface, many of the better-funded charter schools appear to be doing well financially.

The New Yorker

It's a way for the government to appear to be doing something for Fukushima".

The New York Times

New York City's kestrels appear to be doing much better than their rural counterparts.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "appear to be doing" when you want to express an observation or assumption about an ongoing activity without stating it as a definitive fact. This is especially useful when you don't have complete information or direct evidence.

Common error

Avoid using "appear to be doing" repeatedly in close proximity without providing further clarification or evidence. Overuse can make your writing seem uncertain and weaken your argument. Instead, vary your language and provide supporting details or observations to strengthen your statements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appear to be doing" functions as a verb phrase used to express an observation or assumption about an ongoing activity. It indicates that something seems to be happening, according to Ludwig AI, but without stating it as a definitive fact. It is commonly used to convey uncertainty or a lack of complete information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "appear to be doing" is a versatile verb phrase used to express an observation or assumption about an ongoing action, denoting that something seems to be happening without absolute certainty. According to Ludwig AI, this grammatically correct phrase is appropriate for various contexts, most commonly in News & Media, Scientific, and Formal & Business writing. Alternatives include "seem to be performing" and "look like they are acting". While generally safe to use, be mindful of overuse and always provide additional details to support your statements. Its neutral register and common usage make "appear to be doing" a valuable tool for conveying tentative assessments in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seem to be performing

Emphasizes the ongoing action with a focus on how it seems to an observer.

look like they are acting

Highlights the visual impression of the action.

give the impression of working

Focuses on the impression created, rather than the actual activity.

are apparently engaged in

Uses "apparently" to denote something that seems true based on evidence.

appear to be functioning

Implies a certain level of operation or activity is observed.

seem to be operating

Highlights the operational aspect of the activity.

give the semblance of action

Emphasizes the outward appearance of being active, possibly without real effect.

are ostensibly performing

Uses "ostensibly" to suggest that the activity is presented as genuine.

profess to be acting

Suggests a claim of action, which may or may not be true.

pretend to be working

Indicates that the action is not genuine, but rather an act.

FAQs

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

Use "appear to be doing" when you want to convey that something seems to be happening, although you may not be completely certain. For example, "The company "appears to be doing" well, based on the latest financial reports".

What can I say instead of "appear to be doing"?

You can use alternatives like "seem to be performing", "look like they are acting", or "give the impression of working" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "appears to be doing" instead of "appear to be doing"?

Yes, "appears to be doing" is correct when the subject is singular, while "appear to be doing" is used with plural subjects. For example, "He appears to be working" versus "They appear to be doing well".

What is the difference between "appear to be doing" and "are doing"?

"Appear to be doing" suggests an observation or impression that something is happening, but without absolute certainty. "Are doing" indicates a definitive and confirmed action. For example, "They appear to be doing well" implies it seems that way, whereas "They are doing well" states it as a fact.