appear to be making

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appear to be making" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing an observation or perception of someone or something that seems to be in the process of creating or producing something. Example: "The team appears to be making significant progress on the project, which is encouraging."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They appear to be making headway.

The Economist

Terminal lockers, for one, appear to be making a comeback.

The New York Times

NBC Universal does appear to be making headway.

The New York Times

They now appear to be making up for lost time.

The Guardian - Music

However, deposit-collection schemes appear to be making a comeback.

The Guardian

These wealthy investors appear to be making double-digit returns not available to normal investors.

Columbia University

But Mr. Price's services appear to be making some headway with New York's major landlords.

The New York Times

Some of them appear to be making waves — in the atmosphere.

The Guardian

As long as the market goes up, he will appear to be making a steady profit.

The New Yorker

At least for now, advertisers appear to be making their buys without much regard for them.

The New York Times

But she is careful not to appear to be making policy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "appear to be making", ensure the context clearly indicates the process or outcome being observed. For example, "The company appears to be making significant strides in renewable energy." This provides a clear understanding of what progress is being made.

Common error

Avoid using "appear to be making" when the outcome is already definitively known. For example, instead of saying "The study appears to be making conclusive results", use "The study is making conclusive results" or "The study suggests conclusive results" if the evidence firmly supports the findings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appear to be making" functions as a hedged verb phrase, indicating a perceived action or state with a degree of uncertainty. As shown by Ludwig, it expresses an observation without definitively confirming the action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "appear to be making" is a versatile expression used to convey a perceived action or state with a degree of uncertainty. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and very common across various contexts. The phrase is mostly used in news and media, suggesting it's valuable for expressing observations without committing to definitive statements. While versatile, remember not to use "appear to be making" when the outcome is definitively known. Alternatives like "seem to be creating" or "look like they are producing" can offer subtle changes in tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seem to be creating

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

look like they are producing

Substitutes "appear to be making" with a more visual and descriptive phrase.

give the impression of building

Emphasizes the impression or outward appearance of constructing something.

are seemingly crafting

Uses "seemingly" and "crafting" to suggest an element of skill or artistry in the making.

appear to be developing

Focuses on the process of development rather than the act of making.

present themselves as doing

Highlights the way something is presented or perceived.

suggest they are generating

Indicates that there is evidence to hint at an act of generation.

seem to be constructing

Uses "constructing" to specifically refer to building or assembling something.

give the feeling of composing

Similar in meaning, but more focused on assembling something in an artistic way.

look as if they're forging

This emphasizes the act of creating through intense effort, like metalworking.

FAQs

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

Use "appear to be making" when you want to indicate that something seems to be happening or progressing based on observation, but without definitive proof. For example, "The negotiations "appear to be making" progress towards a resolution".

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

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "seem to be creating", "look like they are producing", or "give the impression of building".

Is it correct to say "appears to be making" instead of "appear to be making"?

Yes, but the correct form depends on the subject. Use "appears to be making" with singular subjects (e.g., "He appears to be making progress"), and "appear to be making" with plural subjects (e.g., "They appear to be making progress").

What's the difference between "appear to be making" and "are making"?

"Appear to be making" suggests an observation or impression, implying some uncertainty. "Are making" is a direct statement of fact. For example, "They "appear to be making" improvements" suggests it looks like they are improving, while "They are making improvements" states it as a certainty.