appears to be doing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appears to be doing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing someone's actions or behavior that seem to indicate a particular activity or state. Example: "She appears to be doing well in her new job, as she has received positive feedback from her manager."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He appears to be doing so.

The New York Times

Yet that's what Calpers appears to be doing.

The New York Times

Oliver, meanwhile, appears to be doing something different.

The New Yorker

Now it appears to be doing just the opposite.

The New York Times

Went the Day Well appears to be doing well.

The New York Times

Hamas also appears to be doing well with young people.

The New York Times

The business itself appears to be doing quite well.

The Guardian - Business

QUESTION FROM LUCIA: Obama appears to be doing the math.

The New Yorker

The current election season appears to be doing the opposite.

The Guardian

The BMA appears to be doing the same.

The Guardian

Mr. Spitzer's history with prostitutes appears to be doing only minimal damage to his prospective candidacy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "appears to be doing" when you want to convey an observation based on available evidence, but without stating it as a definitive fact. This phrasing allows for the possibility of being mistaken or incomplete information.

Common error

Avoid using "appears to be doing" when you have concrete evidence of an action. Opt for more definitive language if the information is confirmed. Otherwise, the phrase can undermine your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appears to be doing" functions as a hedge, softening a statement and indicating that the speaker is presenting an observation or inference rather than a definitive fact. As confirmed by Ludwig, it conveys a sense of likelihood or possibility based on available evidence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "appears to be doing" is a versatile phrase used to express an observation or inference without stating it as a definitive fact. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. It serves as a hedging device, allowing for a degree of uncertainty or tentativeness in one's statement. Alternatives like ""seems to be doing"" and ""looks to be doing"" offer subtle variations in tone and emphasis. When using this phrase, ensure you are conveying an observation based on available evidence, and avoid overstating certainty when more concrete evidence is available.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seems to be doing

Uses "seems" instead of "appears", offering a slightly more informal tone and implying a less certain observation.

looks to be doing

Replaces "appears" with "looks", making the observation more visual and less formal.

seems to be performing

Substitutes "doing" with "performing", suggesting a focus on a specific action or task being executed.

appears to be progressing

Replaces "doing" with "progressing", highlighting advancement or development in an ongoing process.

appears to be proceeding

Similar to progressing, but emphasizes the continuation of a planned course of action.

gives the impression of doing

More explicitly states that the action is based on an impression, potentially indicating uncertainty.

suggests they are doing

Highlights that the action is an inference or interpretation based on available information.

it would seem they are doing

Adds a layer of deduction and tentativeness to the observation.

one can infer they are doing

Emphasizes the inferential nature of the observation, suggesting a logical conclusion.

it is reasonable to assume they are doing

Highlights the reasonableness of the assumption being made about the action.

FAQs

How can I use "appears to be doing" in a sentence?

You can use "appears to be doing" when describing an action or state that seems to be in progress, but without certainty. For example, "She "appears to be doing" well in her new role".

What are some alternatives to "appears to be doing"?

Alternatives include "seems to be doing", "looks to be doing", or "gives the impression of doing", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

When should I use "appears to be doing" instead of "is doing"?

Use ""appears to be doing"" when you are making an observation based on available evidence, but you don't have definitive proof. Use "is doing" when you are certain about the action taking place.

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

While both phrases are similar, ""seems to be doing"" can be slightly more informal and personal, whereas ""appears to be doing"" often suggests a more objective assessment based on external evidence.