appear to be in order

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appear to be in order" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when assessing or evaluating something to indicate that it seems to be organized or functioning properly. Example: "After reviewing the documents, everything appears to be in order for the upcoming meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But flaws and all, this is intelligent, exhilarating, effervescent film-making, and a remarkable debut from Sam Mendes for whom an Academy Award - along with prizes for Spacey and Bening - would now appear to be in order.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Difficult to detect as the paperwork appears to be in order.

Independent

At that time, top officials at the city's Small Business Services Department insisted that all appeared to be in order.

The New York Times

Mayor Ernest D. Davis said Monday that he reviewed reports filed by the consumer affairs director that appeared to be in order.

The New York Times

Tax officials conducted an inquiry into Kallakis's affairs in 2005, but was eventually satisfied that all the paperwork relating to his complex offshore empire appeared to be in order.

The Guardian

The latter appeared to be in order of one thousand.

Polymer

Consequently, a thorough reconsideration of our approach to sudden cardiac death (SCD -risk SCD -riskation appearstratificationer.

Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine

When he surveyed the campsite, everything appeared to be in order, until he got to Nelson's chickee.

Wikipedia

To further explore this conjecture, a brief excursion into the literature on bird song appears to be in order.

Genes, Brain and Behavior

Given the amount of reduction from 32 to 5−6, its classification as modest bias (at least) appears to be in order.

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

However, a seal may appear to be in good order when in reality a small gap may be allowing warm moist air to enter the cabinet.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "appear to be in order", ensure that you have a clear basis for your assessment. This phrase suggests a preliminary judgment based on available information, so specify the source of your evaluation (e.g., "After reviewing the records, the accounts appear to be in order.").

Common error

Avoid using "appear to be in order" when you possess definitive proof. This phrase implies a degree of uncertainty or preliminary assessment. If you have confirmed evidence, use stronger terms like "is" or "has been confirmed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appear to be in order" functions as a qualifying expression, indicating a preliminary assessment or impression that something is correct or properly functioning. Ludwig's examples show its use in various contexts, from evaluating paperwork to assessing the condition of equipment.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "appear to be in order" serves as a cautious assessment, suggesting a preliminary judgment of correctness or proper functioning. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts, predominantly in news and scientific domains. The phrase conveys a sense of tentative correctness, implying that while things seem right, further verification might be needed. When writing, ensure you use it when you need to signal that your opinion is not a fact, but you've based on the available evidence. For more definitive statements, stronger terms are recommended. By understanding its function and implications, you can use this phrase effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seem to be correct

Replaces "appear" with "seem", offering a slightly less formal tone.

look to be right

Substitutes "appear" with "look" and "in order" with "right", implying a visual assessment.

appear to be satisfactory

Replaces "in order" with "satisfactory", suggesting that the condition meets requirements.

seem to be functioning properly

Replaces "appear" with "seem" and "in order" with a description of proper function.

look to be in working condition

Substitutes "appear" with "look", focusing on the operational status.

appear to be in good shape

Replaces "in order" with "in good shape", suggesting overall condition.

seem to be all right

Uses "seem" instead of "appear" and "all right" to convey a general sense of well-being or correctness.

look as if everything is correct

Rephrases the entire expression to focus on the perceived correctness of everything.

appear compliant

This alternative has a more formal tone suggesting that things appear to be adhering to a rule or standard.

appear to be validated

Focuses on the verification aspect of being "in order", implying confirmation of correctness.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "appear to be in order" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "seem to be correct" or "appear to be satisfactory". These alternatives maintain a professional tone while conveying the same general meaning.

When is it appropriate to use "appear to be in order" instead of "is in order"?

"Appear to be in order" is suitable when you're making an assessment based on available information but haven't definitively confirmed it. "Is in order" should be used when you have concrete evidence that something is correct and functioning properly.

What does "appear to be in order" imply about the level of certainty?

The phrase "appear to be in order" implies a level of uncertainty. It suggests that based on initial observations, everything seems correct, but further investigation might be needed to confirm this assessment definitively.

Are there any synonyms for "appear to be in order" that convey a stronger sense of verification?

While "appear to be in order" suggests a preliminary assessment, alternatives like "appear to be validated" or "appear compliant" convey a stronger sense of verification or adherence to standards.