appear to me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appear to me" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a personal perception or opinion about something. Example: "The results of the experiment appear to me to be inconclusive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It would appear to me the next step is administration".

The Guardian - Business

"All the characters... appear to me morally deranged".

The Guardian - Books

"That would appear to me to be a defensive position.

The Guardian

I don't smell well, so the stink of dead fish doesn't appear to me.

The New York Times

"It doesn't appear to me and many others that this has been done.

Independent

"Nevertheless they appear to me a courageous, humane, brave, and significant people".

The New Yorker

"He doesn't appear to me as being a dirt-bag kid".

The New York Times

But that does not appear to me to be the case.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It didn't appear to me to be much of a choice," he said.

The New York Times

Their policies appear to me eminently sensible and unabashedly progressive, in most areas.

The Guardian - Opinion

It didn't appear to me at the time to be particularly loud, but that's just how I remember it happening.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "appear to me", ensure that the statement aligns with the context and your role in the conversation. It's suitable for expressing opinions but less appropriate for stating objective facts.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "appear to me" in highly formal or academic writing where objectivity is paramount. Opt for more neutral phrases like "it suggests" or "evidence indicates" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appear to me" functions as an introductory phrase used to preface a statement of personal belief, opinion, or perception. It signals that the speaker is offering a subjective assessment, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

23%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "appear to me" is a common phrase used to introduce a personal opinion or subjective assessment. Ludwig indicates its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts, notably in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business settings. While generally neutral, it's advisable to consider more formal alternatives in highly academic or professional writing to maintain objectivity. Ludwig's analysis and diverse examples showcase the phrase's versatility and appropriateness for expressing personal viewpoints with clarity and nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seem to me

This alternative is a direct synonym, offering a similar level of formality and conveying the same sense of personal impression.

it seems to me

Adding "it" makes the statement slightly more formal and explicit, emphasizing the speaker's perspective.

in my opinion

This phrase explicitly states that the following statement is a personal belief or judgment.

as I see it

This alternative emphasizes the speaker's viewpoint or understanding of the situation.

to my mind

This phrase indicates a personal thought or belief, often implying a reasoned conclusion.

from my perspective

This alternative highlights that the opinion is based on a specific viewpoint or background.

if you ask me

This phrase is more informal and suggests that the opinion is unsolicited.

my impression is

This alternative focuses on the feeling or sense the speaker has about something.

the way I see it

Similar to "as I see it", this emphasizes a personal understanding, but with a slightly more casual tone.

I gather

This suggests the opinion is formed from collected information or observations.

FAQs

What does "appear to me" mean?

The phrase "appear to me" is used to express a personal opinion, perception, or impression about something. It indicates that the statement is based on your subjective understanding or observation.

How to use "appear to me" in a sentence?

You can use "appear to me" followed by a clause expressing your opinion, such as: "It "seems to me" that the project is progressing well", or "The results "appear to me" inconclusive".

Which is correct, "appear to me" or "appears to me"?

"Appear to me" is correct when used with a plural subject or in the context of expressing a general opinion. "Appears to me" is grammatically incorrect in this context; instead, rephrase as "It "appears to be"...".

What can I say instead of "appear to me"?

You can use alternatives like "seem to me", "in my opinion", or "as I see it" depending on the context and the level of formality you want to convey.