appears overwhelming

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appears overwhelming" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation, task, or feeling that seems too intense or difficult to manage. Example: "The amount of information presented in the meeting appears overwhelming, making it hard to focus on key points."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

The task at times appears overwhelming, and some in Washington quietly wonder if Dr. Chu is in over his head.

The New York Times

Protesters have called for another rally next month in Hollywood.Although the pressure for reform appears overwhelming, it is not clear that a deal can be done this year.

The Economist

"I have a condition that appears overwhelming," added Sarkar, who lives in Westchester County, N.Y., "but I've shown it is still possible to be successful".

The New York Times

In "hedge fund" offices, the task for the Greek government appears overwhelming: its no longer if, but when it will default.

The Guardian - Opinion

At a 2004 International Whaling Commission symposium, more than 100 scientists signed a statement asserting that the association between sonar and whale deaths "is very convincing and appears overwhelming".

The New York Times - Magazine

But as other scientists have pointed out, while the number of positive-feedbacks that could go into 'runaway' on a business-as-usual scenario appears overwhelming, whether they have yet is at best unclear from the numbers - and at worst, we find that proponents of fatalism are actually systematically misrepresenting and obfuscating the science to justify hopelessness.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

• Wander over to ireport.com, which CNN created in February 2008, and it can appear overwhelming.

The New York Times

Such material — with its prodigies of arcane socioeconomic detail and suggestions of disorder — might appear overwhelming to a novelist.

The New Yorker

Yet the sheer number of regulations can appear overwhelming and make it hard to know where to start.

The Guardian

Granted, sometimes homework can at first appear overwhelming, but then again, so can many assignments in college, not to mention the professional world.

The New York Times

If the problems we faced creating new security forces in Iraq appeared overwhelming at the time, the challenges in Afghanistan are even more daunting.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "appears overwhelming", consider adding context to explain why something seems that way. This provides more clarity and impact for your reader.

Common error

Avoid using "appears overwhelming" when describing situations that are definitively insurmountable. The word "appears" indicates a perception, not a certainty. For truly hopeless scenarios, use stronger terms like "is insurmountable" or "proves unachievable".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appears overwhelming" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a subjective impression of being too large, complex, or difficult to manage. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

32%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "appears overwhelming" is a valid and useful way to describe something that initially seems too large or difficult to handle. Ludwig AI validates that its usage is correct and versatile across various contexts. While not extremely common, it is frequently seen in News & Media and scientific publications. When you choose to use "appears overwhelming", consider that it is an expression of a personal assessment; it indicates that a more objective and detailed evaluation might be needed to overcome the feeling of discouragement or intimidation that often comes attached to such a challenge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seems insurmountable

Replaces "appears overwhelming" with a stronger emphasis on the perceived impossibility of overcoming a challenge.

looks unmanageable

Focuses on the difficulty in managing or controlling something, rather than just its overwhelming nature.

presents a formidable challenge

Highlights the challenge aspect, framing the situation as difficult and demanding respect.

seems too much to handle

Emphasizes the inability to cope with the situation, suggesting a feeling of being overburdened.

appears insurmountable

Uses a stronger term than "overwhelming", suggesting that the difficulty is impossible to overcome.

looks intimidating

Shifts the focus to the feeling of intimidation caused by the situation's overwhelming nature.

feels crushing

Highlights the oppressive or burdensome feeling associated with something that is overwhelming.

seems insurmountable

Highlights that something seems impossible to overcome.

presents excessive demands

Highlights that something requires excessive or too many demands.

appears too complex

Changes the focus from the volume to the complexity of a situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "appears overwhelming" to describe a task, situation, or feeling that seems very large or difficult at first glance. For example: "The amount of data "appears overwhelming", but with careful analysis, we can understand it."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "appears overwhelming"?

Some alternative phrases you can use include "seems insurmountable", "looks unmanageable", or "presents a formidable challenge", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "appears overwhelming" or "is overwhelming"?

The choice depends on whether you're expressing a subjective perception or an objective fact. "Appears overwhelming" suggests a personal viewpoint or initial impression, while "is overwhelming" indicates an objective assessment. The first one could be seen as something subjective.

What's the difference between "appears overwhelming" and "seems overwhelming"?

Both phrases are quite similar, but "appears overwhelming" implies that the overwhelming nature is based on visual evidence or first impressions, while "seems overwhelming" suggests a more considered judgment based on various factors.