appear to be incorrect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appear to be incorrect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something seems to be wrong or not accurate based on observation or evidence. Example: "The calculations in the report appear to be incorrect, and we need to review them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

He also thanked US forces for their "courage", and said statements made on Saturday as to how Norgrove died, which now appear to be incorrect, were made in good faith.

The Guardian

Cameron also thanked US forces for their "courage", and said statements made on Saturday as to how Norgrove died, which now appear to be incorrect, were made in good faith.

The Guardian

Assertions that people are using fewer apps in 2012 than they did in 2010 appear to be incorrect".

TechCrunch

Those two details appear to be incorrect.

Vice

However, the rhesus GenBank transcript [GenBank:XM_002802187.1] and protein [GenBank:XP_002802233.1] models for this gene appear to be incorrect.

BMC Genomics

The smoking adjustments appear to be incorrect and producing spuriously increased ORs that are sometimes interpreted as E-R trends.

Critical Reviews in Toxicology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

That appears to be incorrect.

The New York Times

Lawyers for the complainants have agreed that that part of the report appears to be incorrect.

The New York Times

Based on what his doctors and other specialists say, that appears to be incorrect.

The New York Times - Health

The complainants' lawyers agreed last night, and said that portion of the report appeared to be incorrect.

The New York Times

The matter has been studied carefully by linguists [some of whom Wolfe cites and dismisses without argument], who showed that it appears to be incorrect; also by experimental cognitive scientists who have drawn the same conclusions.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "appear to be incorrect", ensure you have some evidence or observation to support your claim, as it suggests a preliminary assessment rather than a definitive statement.

Common error

Avoid using "appear to be incorrect" when you have definitive proof of error. In such cases, a more direct statement like "is incorrect" is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appear to be incorrect" functions as a qualifying statement, expressing a degree of uncertainty or preliminary assessment about the accuracy of something. It suggests that based on initial observation or evidence, something seems wrong but requires further verification. As stated in Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

38%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "appear to be incorrect" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to convey a tentative assessment of inaccuracy. As verified by Ludwig AI, it functions as a qualifying statement, inviting further investigation rather than asserting a definitive truth. Its neutral register allows for application across various contexts, from scientific reports to news articles. While alternatives like "seem to be inaccurate" offer subtle shifts in meaning, the core function remains consistent: highlighting potential errors while acknowledging uncertainty. Remember to use this phrase judiciously, ensuring it reflects the degree of certainty warranted by the available evidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seem to be inaccurate

Replaces "incorrect" with "inaccurate", slightly shifting the focus from a binary right/wrong to a matter of precision.

appear to be flawed

Substitutes "incorrect" with "flawed", suggesting there is a defect or imperfection present.

seem to be erroneous

Uses "erroneous" instead of "incorrect", conveying a stronger sense of mistake or error.

appear to be invalid

Replaces "incorrect" with "invalid", indicating that something is not valid or legitimate.

seem to be mistaken

Substitutes "incorrect" with "mistaken", focusing on the idea that a mistake has been made.

appear to be false

Uses "false" instead of "incorrect", suggesting that something is untrue or not in accordance with the facts.

seem to be off

Replaces "incorrect" with "off", offering a more informal way of expressing that something is not quite right.

appear to be dubious

Substitutes "incorrect" with "dubious", indicating that something is questionable or doubtful.

seem to be amiss

Uses "amiss" instead of "incorrect", suggesting that something is out of place or not as it should be.

appear to be awry

Replaces "incorrect" with "awry", implying that something has gone wrong or deviated from the expected course.

FAQs

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

You can use "appear to be incorrect" to express that something seems wrong based on available information. For example, "The data in the report "appear to be incorrect", and we need to verify them".

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

Some alternatives include "seem to be inaccurate", "appear to be flawed", or "seem to be erroneous". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

"Appear to be incorrect" is appropriate when you suspect an error but lack definitive proof. "Is incorrect" should be used when you have concrete evidence of an error.

Is "appears to be incorrect" grammatically correct?

Yes, "appears to be incorrect" is grammatically correct. It's the singular form, used when referring to a single subject. "Appear to be incorrect" is used with plural subjects or with "I", "we", "you", and "they".