appear to be going

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appear to be going" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation or condition that seems to be in progress or developing. Example: "The project deadlines appear to be going well, and we are on track to finish ahead of schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

These appear to be going nowhere.

The New York Times

"Whites appear to be going further out".

The New York Times

Evolution doesn't appear to be going on.

Yale University

Mr. Harrison doesn't appear to be going anywhere.

The New York Times - Books

A couple of things appear to be going on.

The Washington Post

"They appear to be going after Japan," Mr. Koo said.

The New York Times

But it does not appear to be going Santorum's way.

The Guardian

Ergo the employment number will appear to be going up.

The Guardian - Opinion

In other words, all may appear to be going well, but then suddenly goes horribly wrong.

The Economist

"If the processing isn't very good, they appear to be going backward even worse".

The New York Times

The counteroffensive, however, did not appear to be going as well as hoped.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "appear to be going" when you want to convey an observation or impression without stating it as a definite fact. This is useful when the situation is still unfolding or uncertain.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "appear to be going" in highly formal or scientific writing. Opt for more precise language to strengthen the factual nature of your writing. For example, instead of saying "The data appear to be going in a certain direction", use "The data indicate a trend" for a more impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appear to be going" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a perceived or observed state of progression. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound, with examples showing its role in describing ongoing situations or developments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "appear to be going" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to express a perception or observation about an ongoing situation. As Ludwig AI pointed out, it is a useful way to describe unfolding scenarios, it functions as a verbal phrase that indicates a perceived state of progression or the lack of it. Its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for a variety of writing contexts, though precision is preferred in formal writing. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media, followed by academic and business contexts, highlighting its widespread applicability. Keep in mind practical usage tips such as avoiding overuse in formal writing and that this is a correct phrase with high quality examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appear to be progressing

Highlights the state of making progress.

appear to be advancing

Highlights the state of moving forward.

seem to be progressing

Focuses on the idea of advancement or development.

seem to be moving forward

Implies a forward direction or positive momentum.

look to be advancing

Similar to progressing, but can also imply moving to a higher level.

look like they are heading

Emphasizes direction and potential outcome.

appear to be shaping up

Highlights the state of developing.

give the impression of heading

Focuses on the perceived direction or intention.

suggest they are moving

Indicates an indirect observation of movement.

seem to be shaping up

Suggests a more general sense of development or improvement.

FAQs

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

The phrase "appear to be going" is used to express a perception or observation about an ongoing situation. For example, "The negotiations "seem to be going" well, but we need to remain cautious."

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

You can use alternatives like "seem to be progressing", "look like they are heading", or "appear to be progressing" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "appear to be going" or "seems to be going"?

"Appear to be going" and "seems to be going" are largely interchangeable. "Seem to be going" might be considered slightly more informal, but both are acceptable in most contexts.

What does it mean when something "doesn't appear to be going anywhere"?

It means that something isn't making progress or achieving results. For example, "The peace talks "don't appear to be going anywhere" despite several attempts at negotiation."