are seen to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are seen to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is perceived or regarded in a certain way by observers or analysts. Example: "In recent studies, certain behaviors are seen to correlate with higher levels of productivity in the workplace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Instead they are seen to be impertinent.

The Guardian - Business

Bull markets are seen to be incarnations of human perfectibility.

The New Yorker

Collect photographs of policemen who are seen to beat protesters.

The Guardian - Opinion

At last, journalists are seen to be doing the mundane.

The Guardian

The other six Democrats are seen to be safe.

The Economist

"My books are seen to be about women".

The Guardian - Books

"They are seen to be gangsters, they are seen to be wearing hoodies, they're seen to be getting involved in crime.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

They are seen to be a mixture of complacent, incompetent and corrupt.

The Guardian

All the women in this are seen to suffer in some way".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Mainstream politicians are seen to be too self-interested, too keen to win at any cost.

The Guardian - Opinion

Only the prime ministers, Blair and Brown, are seen to carry the can.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are seen to", ensure that the context clearly indicates who is doing the seeing or perceiving. This adds clarity and strengthens the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "are seen to" in contexts where the perceiver is unclear. For example, instead of "Problems are seen to exist", specify who sees the problems: "Experts are seen to believe problems exist."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are seen to" functions as a passive construction indicating how something is perceived or regarded. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It highlights the perception of a subject by an unspecified observer or group.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are seen to" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive construction that conveys how something is perceived or regarded, as validated by Ludwig AI. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and general discourse. While alternatives like "are perceived as" or "appear to be" exist, "are seen to" is effective for presenting a viewpoint based on observation or analysis. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying who is doing the seeing, thereby strengthening your statement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are perceived as

Focuses more on subjective perception or interpretation rather than direct observation.

are regarded as

Emphasizes a formal assessment or considered opinion about something.

are considered to be

Highlights a deliberate act of evaluating or judging something's nature.

appear to be

Suggests a superficial or initial impression based on available evidence.

are understood as

Focuses on the cognitive interpretation or comprehension of something.

are known to be

Implies established knowledge or widespread recognition of a characteristic.

are believed to be

Highlights a conviction or faith in something, often without concrete proof.

are recognized as

Emphasizes the acknowledgment or acceptance of something's status or quality.

are interpreted as

Focuses on the act of assigning meaning or significance to something based on context.

are deemed to be

Highlights a formal or authoritative judgment about something's nature or condition.

FAQs

How can I use "are seen to" in a sentence?

The phrase "are seen to" is used to describe how something is perceived or regarded. For instance, "These policies "are seen to" benefit the economy" means these policies are perceived as beneficial to the economy.

What's a good alternative to "are seen to"?

Alternatives include phrases like "are perceived as", "are regarded as", or "appear to be", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "are seen to" or "are perceived as"?

Both "are seen to" and "are perceived as" are grammatically correct, but "are seen to" implies a more direct observation, while "are perceived as" suggests a subjective interpretation. The best choice depends on the specific context.

How formal is the phrase "are seen to"?

The phrase "are seen to" is generally considered neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both academic and general contexts. It is a suitable choice when you want to express how something is viewed or understood without sounding overly formal or informal.