appears able to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appears able to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something seems to have the capability or capacity to do something. Example: "The new software update appears able to improve system performance significantly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

No A.L. West team this season appears able to mimic the Mariners.

The New York Times - Sports

Not even Japan's busy funeral industry appears able to come to Buddhism's rescue.

The Guardian

A single misshapen prion appears able to corrupt the healthy prions around it, twisting them in its own deformed image.

The New York Times - Books

Moreover, no South Korean government appears able to resist the temptation to use the chaebol for policy ends.

The Economist

Still, the trend is clear and Europewide, and not even prayer appears able to hold it off.

The New York Times

"The organism also appears able to replicate more rapidly than others, which may also cause more serious disease," Dr. Lowy said.

The New York Times - Science

Perhaps it is merely an acknowledgement of diminishing standards when a midfielder who appears able to pass, tackle, run and read a game is praised.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

The one person who appeared able to help was Rasputin.

The Guardian - Books

The perennially lost, consulting their maps without appearing able to relate them to enormous street signs?

The Guardian - Opinion

Many homeowners — among them, empty nesters — appear able to wait out the downturn, he said.

The New York Times

In his own way, Goldsmith also appeared able to reach across the city's traditional divides.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "appears able to" when you want to convey a sense of possibility or capability based on available evidence, but without stating it as a definitive fact. It's useful for expressing a reasoned assessment that isn't a certainty.

Common error

Avoid using "appears able to" when you have conclusive evidence of a capability. If you know something can do something, state it directly rather than implying uncertainty. For example: Instead of saying "This device appears able to filter the water effectively", say "This device filters the water effectively".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appears able to" functions as an evaluative adjective phrase, modifying a subject by indicating a perceived capability or potential. Ludwig shows that this phrase introduces a degree of uncertainty or observation regarding the subject's ability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

43%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "appears able to" is a versatile construction used to express a perceived or potential capability, often with a nuance of uncertainty or observation. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and widely employed across various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedic content. While alternatives like "seems capable of" or "looks like it can" exist, the best practice is to use "appears able to" when conveying a reasoned assessment that stops short of absolute certainty. Be mindful not to use it when definitive evidence already exists, and avoid overstating certainty where a measured observation is more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seems capable of

Expresses a similar meaning, focusing on inherent capability rather than outward appearance.

is seemingly able to

Adds emphasis on the perceived or apparent nature of the ability.

appears capable of

Very similar in meaning, but emphasizes a stronger sense of actual capability.

seems to have the ability to

More verbose, highlighting the presence of a specific ability.

suggests an ability to

Indicates that the evidence hints at a certain capability.

shows potential to

Emphasizes future possibility and potential, rather than current capability.

is believed to be able to

Highlights that the ability is based on belief or assumption.

looks like it can

More informal, suggesting a perceived capability based on observation.

gives the impression of being able to

Focuses on the impression created, rather than the actual ability.

can seemingly

More succinct way to express that something is able to happen, albeit with an element of doubt.

FAQs

How can I use "appears able to" in a sentence?

Use "appears able to" when you want to suggest that something has the capacity to do something, but you are not entirely certain. For instance, "The new treatment "appears able to" reduce the symptoms".

What are some alternatives to "appears able to"?

You can use alternatives like "seems capable of", "appears capable of", or "looks like it can", depending on the level of formality and certainty you wish to convey.

Is it more formal to say "appears able to" or "seems able to"?

"Appears able to" and "seems able to" are generally interchangeable. "Appears able to" might be perceived as slightly more formal due to the word choice, but the difference is minimal.

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

"Appears able to" suggests a perception or impression of capability, while "is able to" indicates a confirmed or known capability. Using "appears able to" implies a degree of uncertainty or observation, whereas "is able to" implies certainty.