appears

USAGE SUMMARY

'appears' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when you want to say that something seems to be true or exist, even though it has not been proved or confirmed. Example sentence: His alibi appears to be valid, but more investigation is needed to prove it.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Much of Lubitz's social life appears to have taken place in the nearby city of Koblenz.

The Guardian

Based on the true story of the wrongful conviction of black boxer Rubin Carter, the film has been criticised for bending the facts, which may have damaged its chances, but its star, Denzel Washington, appears in the best actor category.

The Guardian - Film

Rudd has not said when he will call the poll or whether he will stick with Julia Gillard's nominated election date of 14 September, but appears to have the confidence of the hung parliament.

The Guardian

Over at another forum discussing the same topic (some folks are busy out there) there is indeed what appears to be a Google executive posting that recent changes in were "an enforcement of our viewcount policy".

The Guardian - Tech

President Obama appears to be collecting a lion's share of votes cast by early voters in Ohio.

The Guardian

He steals from the houses he breaks into, but appears to take items, such as ornaments or jewellery, as 'mementos' rather than straightforward burglary.

The Guardian

Pollsters at Opinium said it appears that the two main parties are statistically tied, with variations in recent weeks being within the bounds of statistical error.

The Guardian

Noel Kututwa, Amnesty's deputy director for Africa, said: "It appears the Zanu-PF supporters wanted to ensure that these women did not vote for the other parties and tried to compromise the secrecy of the ballot.

The Guardian

Luna also calls for her father, who appears to be filming the scene.

The Guardian

She appears on Later … with Jools Holland this evening.

The Guardian

Humiliated over his wife Iris's affair and the £50,000 loan she secured for her lover; embattled due to allegations about his financial dealings with property developers and revelations over his and his wife's parliamentary expenses, Robinson's position on the surface at least appears to be precarious.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "appears" when you want to convey a sense of observation or impression without stating something as a definite fact. It's useful for softening claims and maintaining a neutral tone.

Common error

While "appears" is generally acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound hesitant or uncertain. Vary your language by using stronger verbs or more direct statements when the context allows. Consider alternative phrasing like "seems" or "suggests".

Linguistic Context

The word "appears" primarily functions as a verb, specifically the third-person singular present tense of the verb "appear". It's used to describe something that seems to be the case based on available evidence or observation, but without definitive proof. Ludwig AI confirms that it's a correct and usable word in written English. The examples in Ludwig showcase a range of contexts where "appears" softens claims.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0.5%

Reference

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "appears" is a versatile verb used to express an impression or observation without stating a definite fact. As Ludwig AI states, it is a perfectly correct and usable word in written English. It's prevalent in news and media, formal business contexts, and academic writing. While it can be used interchangeably with "seems" in many cases, "appears" often carries a slightly more formal tone. When writing, be mindful of overusing "appears", as it can weaken your prose. Consider alternatives like "suggests" or "indicates" to add variety and strength to your statements. Ultimately, "appears" is a valuable tool for conveying nuanced observations in a range of contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seems

Expresses a similar sense of impression or observation but is more direct and common.

would seem

Adds a slightly more tentative or conditional tone.

gives the impression

Emphasizes the subjective perception or feeling created.

suggests

Implies evidence or indication without definitive proof.

indicates

Similar to suggests, but often based on more concrete evidence.

is suggestive of

Formal way to imply something without stating it directly.

looks like

Informal way of saying something resembles or seems to be something else.

has the semblance of

Formal and literary, indicating an outward appearance that may be deceptive.

presents itself as

Indicates how something is outwardly perceived or represented.

it is apparent

Directly states that something is easily noticeable or understood.

FAQs

How can I use "appears" in a sentence?

Use "appears" to express an impression or observation that something seems to be a certain way. For example, "It appears that the meeting has been cancelled".

What are some alternatives to "appears"?

You can use alternatives such as "seems", "suggests", or "indicates" depending on the context and the level of certainty you want to convey.

Is it better to use "appears" or "seems"?

Both "appears" and "seems" are generally interchangeable. However, "appears" can sometimes sound more formal, while "seems" is more common in everyday conversation.

What's the difference between "appears to be" and "is"?

"Appears to be" suggests that something has the look or impression of being something, but without absolute certainty. "Is" is a more direct and definitive statement.