appear to work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appear to work" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing something that seems to function or operate effectively, but without certainty. Example: "The new software updates appear to work well, improving the system's overall performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Financially, things appear to work, too.

The Economist

It did not appear to work.

The New York Times - Magazine

Except it doesn't appear to work.

The Guardian - Opinion

He does not appear to work.

The Guardian

For edentulous patients, condylectomies alone also appear to work well.

International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

My brain doesn't appear to work in that way.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

It appeared to work.

The New Yorker

The strategy appeared to work.

The New York Times - Magazine

The system appeared to work brilliantly.

The Economist

This appeared to work OK.

Columbia University

And it appeared to work.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "appear to work", ensure the context clearly indicates the evidence supporting the observation, even if it's not conclusive. This adds credibility to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "appear to work" when you have concrete data demonstrating actual effectiveness. Use stronger verbs like 'proves' or 'demonstrates' in such cases to reflect the certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appear to work" functions as a hedge, softening a claim about effectiveness. As Ludwig AI demonstrates, it is used when there is a lack of certainty or complete evidence. It is not a definitive statement of success but rather an observation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

38%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "appear to work" is a versatile expression used to indicate that something seems functional or effective, but without complete certainty. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, including News & Media and Science. When using this phrase, ensure that you provide sufficient context to support your observation and avoid overstating the actual level of effectiveness. Alternatives like "seem to function" or "look like they work" can offer similar nuances. While it doesn't usually denote a particularly formal tone, you should consider the context when using this phrase in more formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seem to function

Focuses on the functionality aspect, implying a process is operational.

look like they work

Emphasizes visual observation, suggesting effectiveness based on appearance.

give the impression of working

Highlights the perceived effect, rather than confirmed functionality.

appear to be effective

Shifts focus slightly towards the result or impact of the work.

seem to be in operation

Highlights being actively used or running.

appear functional

Highlights that it is capable of fulfilling its purpose.

appear to be running smoothly

Emphasizes the process is occurring without issues.

look to be effective

Highlights the prospective nature of being effective.

seem to be producing results

Highlights that certain outcomes derive from this working process.

appear to be successful

Highlights the positive outcome or accomplishment associated to the working process.

FAQs

What does "appear to work" mean?

The phrase "appear to work" indicates that something seems to be functioning or producing the desired results, but there might be some uncertainty or lack of complete evidence.

How can I use "appear to work" in a sentence?

You can use "appear to work" when describing a situation where you observe positive outcomes, but you're not entirely sure about the underlying mechanisms or long-term effects. For example: 'The new strategy "seem to function", but we need more data to confirm its success.'

What are some alternatives to "appear to work"?

You can use alternatives like "seem to function", "look like they work", or "give the impression of working" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

When should I not use "appear to work"?

Avoid using "appear to work" when you have definitive proof of something's effectiveness. In such cases, use stronger and more assertive language to reflect the certainty of the outcome.