appears intact

USAGE SUMMARY

"appears intact" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a physical object that is undamaged and complete. For example, "The ancient statue was discovered and appears intact."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

The streak appears intact this year.

The New York Times - Sports

For now, the alliance appears intact.

The New York Times

Mr. Zadran's position here appears intact.

The New York Times

And the overall commitment and work ethic appears intact.

The New York Times - Sports

A retaining wall performs that job, a retaining wall that almost miraculously appears intact.

The New York Times

His friends say they do not have a deep understanding of the couple's bond, but say that it appears intact.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Others appear intact.

The New York Times

Even the dust on the barrels appeared intact.

The New York Times - Travel

They were also trying to determine whether the northbound lanes, which appeared intact, could be salvaged.

The New York Times

Most of the floors are the original wood strips, and the wooden windows appear intact.

The New York Times

Yet even through that haze, the man's dignity and toughness appeared intact.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "appears intact", ensure the context provides a clear basis for the appearance being described, such as visual inspection or a specific set of criteria. For example, instead of saying 'The system appears intact', specify 'After the upgrade, the system appears intact based on initial functionality tests'.

Common error

Avoid assuming something is truly undamaged or complete solely based on superficial appearance. Always corroborate with thorough testing or inspection to confirm the state of being "intact". For example, saying 'The bridge appears intact after the storm' is insufficient; structural engineers must verify its safety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appears intact" primarily functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun to indicate that something seems undamaged or complete based on visual inspection or initial assessment. Ludwig provides numerous examples where the phrase qualifies various nouns in this way.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

37%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "appears intact" is a common and grammatically correct adjective phrase used to describe something that seems undamaged or complete upon initial assessment. Ludwig's analysis of numerous real-world examples indicates its frequent use in both scientific and news contexts. While the phrase suggests a positive initial condition, it's essential to remember that appearance doesn't guarantee true integrity; further verification may be necessary. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable and appropriate in various writing scenarios, making it a valuable tool for expressing preliminary observations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seems undamaged

Replaces "appears" with "seems" and "intact" with "undamaged", focusing on the lack of damage.

looks complete

Substitutes "appears" with "looks" and "intact" with "complete", emphasizing wholeness.

is seemingly undamaged

Adds "seemingly" to indicate an apparent lack of damage.

presents as whole

Replaces "appears intact" with a more formal phrase, indicating a state of completeness.

is apparently whole

Uses "apparently" to suggest that something is outwardly whole.

shows no damage

Shifts focus to the absence of damage rather than the presence of intactness.

remains untouched

Implies that something has not been altered or harmed.

exhibits no breaches

A more formal and specific alternative, implying the absence of any breaks or gaps.

retains its integrity

Emphasizes the preservation of structural or moral soundness.

gives the impression of being complete

A more descriptive alternative focusing on the impression conveyed.

FAQs

How can I use "appears intact" in a sentence?

You can use "appears intact" to describe something that looks undamaged or complete. For example, "The ancient vase "appears intact" despite being buried for centuries".

What are some alternatives to saying "appears intact"?

Alternatives include "seems undamaged", "looks complete", or "shows no damage", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always safe to assume something is "intact" if it "appears intact"?

No, "appears intact" only suggests a superficial observation. Further inspection or testing may be needed to confirm its true condition. Do not make critical decisions based solely on appearance.

What's the difference between "appears intact" and "is intact"?

"Appears intact" indicates a visual assessment or initial impression of completeness, while "is intact" confirms that something is truly whole and undamaged upon closer inspection or testing.