appears strained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appears strained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, relationship, or expression that seems tense, forced, or lacking in naturalness. Example: "During the meeting, her smile appeared strained, indicating that she was uncomfortable with the discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

While the two parties share similar views and an overlapping constituency, their relationship appears strained at times.

The New York Times

In this light, the analogy to the 1971 Pentagon Papers, which exposed the internal deliberations of Vietnam War decision-making, appears strained.

The New York Times

Leach's relationship with Texas Tech appears strained -- a person close to Leach said that the university has not offered him a contract extension, despite comments to the contrary by Athletic Director Gerald Myers.

The New York Times

Like rival presidential candidates visiting the same city on the same day, Joe Torre and Brian Cashman will make separate public appearances in the metropolitan area Tuesday, and no doubt each will be asked about a long relationship that now appears strained.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

His face was calm, but his eyes appeared strained.

The New Yorker

Mr. Miller's relationship with Ms. Palin had also appeared strained.

The New York Times

That said, holding tension in one's jaws or brows can make a face appear strained.

The New York Times

Relations between Wenger and Owen Coyle, once so strong, may have appeared strained this week but both clubs undoubtedly gained greatly from the teenager's loan to Wanderers last January.

The Guardian - Sport

During this time, Brennan related his previous combat experiences to fellow pilots, however his commanding officer, Squadron Leader Alan Rawlinson, noted that Brennan appeared "strained and tired".

Wikipedia

A feature of these studies is that many of the identified ncRNAs appear strain or species restricted implying that they may serve important functions in species specific traits and virulence properties of pathogenic bacteria.

Plosone

Overall the impact of 11β-HSD1 on circadian regulation and of diurnal cues on brain 11β-HSD1 appear strain, species and state-dependent.

Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "appears strained" when you want to convey a sense of underlying tension or difficulty that is visible but not explicitly stated. It is often more subtle than saying something is "tense" or "difficult".

Common error

Avoid using "appears strained" when the situation is overtly hostile or clearly broken. This phrase is best suited for subtle indicators of stress, not outright conflict.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appears strained" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the state or condition of a subject. According to Ludwig AI, it indicates that something seems tense or unnatural. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in describing relationships, analogies, and even facial expressions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "appears strained" is a verb phrase used to describe something that seems tense, forced, or unnatural. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. While grammatically sound, it's relatively rare, primarily appearing in news and media. Its communicative purpose involves conveying a subtle sense of underlying tension. When using this phrase, consider alternatives like "seems tense" or "looks forced" depending on the specific context and desired nuance. As Ludwig examples show, it can effectively describe relationships, expressions, and situations displaying subtle indicators of unease.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seems tense

Focuses on the feeling of tension rather than the outward appearance.

looks forced

Emphasizes the artificial or unnatural quality of something.

seems uneasy

Highlights a lack of comfort or relaxation.

appears artificial

Stresses the lack of genuineness.

looks unnatural

Highlights a deviation from the norm.

seems awkward

Indicates a lack of grace or smoothness.

appears uncomfortable

Focuses on the feeling of discomfort.

looks precarious

Emphasizes a sense of instability or risk.

seems fragile

Highlights the vulnerability of something.

looks like it's under pressure

Highlights that the expression is under stress

FAQs

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

You can use "appears strained" to describe relationships, situations, or expressions that show signs of tension or discomfort. For example, "Their relationship "appears strained" after the argument".

What are some alternatives to "appears strained"?

Alternatives include phrases like "seems tense", "looks forced", or "seems uneasy". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "appears strained" or "is strained"?

"Appears strained" suggests an observation or impression, while "is strained" implies a definite state. Use "appears strained" when you are making an assessment based on available evidence, but not stating it as fact.

Can "appears strained" be used to describe physical objects?

While less common, "appears strained" can describe physical objects if they exhibit signs of stress or tension. For instance, "The old bridge "appears strained" after years of heavy traffic".