appear to be locked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appear to be locked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that seems to be secured or inaccessible, often in a physical or metaphorical sense. Example: "The door to the old building appears to be locked, preventing us from entering."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

It'd appear to be locked".

The New Yorker

If you appear to be locked out your top choice for a domain, you may still have options to land it or at least something close.

The New York Times - Tech

The men — one a city dandy, the other a barefoot rural type — appear to be locked in an intimate, eye-to-eye communion.

The New York Times - Arts

Beijing and Washington appear to be locked in a dialogue of the deaf before the issue of a U.S. Treasury Department report due April 15 to determine whether China is manipulating its exchange rate for trade advantage.

The New York Times

Despite their chaotic rotations, the moons appear to be locked into stable trajectories, which the researchers said is likely to be due to them moving in resonant orbits, which line up exactly at regular time intervals.

The Guardian

Borges further warns, "Security is a potential concern at the warehouse, which does not appear to be locked at all times...

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

He appears to be locked in a close race with Castor for the $172,000-a-year 172,000-a-year 172,000-a-year post

The Guardian

If the unemployment rate appears to be locked in to a familiar pattern, so are the predictable political reactions of the two parties' leaders.

The New York Times

This is the thugs' charter that has landed the game that so often appears to be locked into adolescence in its latest moral pickle.

Independent

Since then, the country appears to be locked in a battle of wills between mostly Shiite protesters and their Sunni monarch.

The New York Times

She appeared to be locked in a close contest with Ovide Lamontagne, a lawyer and a longtime political figure in the state.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "appear to be locked" to describe a situation or system, ensure the context provides enough information to understand why it seems that way. Specify what prevents movement or change.

Common error

Avoid using "appear to be locked" when a more direct description is possible, such as "the door is locked". Reserve it for situations where the locked state is inferred or not immediately obvious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appear to be locked" primarily functions as a descriptive phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate its apparent state. As noted by Ludwig AI, it suggests that something seems to be secured or inaccessible.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "appear to be locked" is a versatile descriptive phrase indicating that something seems secured or inaccessible. As Ludwig AI points out, its grammatical status is correct, and it finds common usage across diverse contexts, notably in news media and scientific publications. While direct alternatives exist, "appear to be locked" adds a layer of observation and potential uncertainty. It's crucial to use it when the locked state is not immediately obvious and to provide context for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seem to be secured

Emphasizes the impression of being secured, focusing on the state of being locked rather than the action.

appear to be inaccessible

Highlights the lack of access, changing the focus to the inability to enter or use.

seem to be fastened

Focuses on the physical state of being closed and secured, possibly with a fastener.

appear to be sealed

Suggests a complete closure, preventing entry or exit, often implying a more permanent barrier.

appear to be restricted

Shifts the emphasis to a limitation or constraint, suggesting a barrier of some sort.

look to be unopenable

Focuses on the inability to open something, emphasizing the difficulty or impossibility.

appear to be impassable

Conveys the sense of a route or path being blocked, highlighting the difficulty of traversing it.

seemingly unyielding

Highlights the resistance to change or movement, suggesting a firm and inflexible state.

give the impression of being locked

Adds a layer of subjectivity, emphasizing the perception rather than a definitive fact.

appear to be unworkable

Conveys a sense of an idea, plan, or system being unable to be implemented or successful, implying a metaphorical lock.

FAQs

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

You can use "appear to be locked" to describe something that seems secured or inaccessible. For example, "The gate "appears to be locked", so we can't enter the park."

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

You can use alternatives like "seem to be secured", "appear to be inaccessible", or "seem to be fastened" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "appears locked" or "appear to be locked"?

"Appear to be locked" is generally more formal and grammatically complete. "Appears locked" is also correct but less common. Using "appear to be locked" provides a slightly more nuanced impression of the state.

Can "appear to be locked" be used metaphorically?

Yes, "appear to be locked" can be used metaphorically to describe a situation where progress is blocked or impossible. For instance, "The negotiations appear to be locked in a stalemate."