The phrase "appear to be dragging" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or object that seems to be moving slowly or with difficulty.
Example: "The project deadlines are approaching, but the team appears to be dragging in their progress."
Alternatives: "seem to be lagging" or "look to be slowing down".
But the jobs report for December suggested that the negatives dogging the economy finally appear to be dragging it down.
Regulators appear to be dragging their feet on finalizing the tough new rules that the law, known as Dodd-Frank, authorized them to write.
For now, Mr. Gingrich's three marriages and some of the moderate positions he has taken do not appear to be dragging down his candidacy.
All three men come from rural and regional backgrounds and appear to be dragging the Greens away from their inner-city base.
The odds favor it, although the Federal Reserve chairman, Paul A. Volcker, likes to appear to be dragging his heels in order to avoid the dangers that might result from too drastic an easing of policy.
In the developed world at least, there is strong resistance from environmental groups, sections of the public are wary, and regulatory authorities appear to be dragging their heels.
Although voters north of the border are quite capable of distinguishing between Scottish and Westminster elections, this slump appears to be dragging down Labour's support at Westminster.
Mr. Bemba, however, complained that President Kabila appeared to be dragging his feet on political negotiations among the Congolese to end the war and reconstruct its tattered government.
Wolf spider eggs are contained in a gray silk sac attached to the female's spinnerets, or silk-producing organs, so that she appears to be dragging a large ball.
The eggs are contained in a gray silk sac attached to the female's spinnerets, or silk-producing organs, so that she appears to be dragging a large ball.
[C2.] Roth Urged to Act on Drug Proposal Saying that William V. Roth Jr., the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, appeared to be dragging his feet, Democrats urged him to take action on his proposal to establish prescription drug benefits under Medicare.
