as it may seem

USAGE SUMMARY

"as it may seem" is correct and usable in written English.
You would typically use this phrase to indicate that something appears to be true even though it may not necessarily be. For example, "John is successful, as it may seem." In this sentence, you’re suggesting that John appears to be successful but that may not necessarily be true.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Strange as it may seem, it works.

The Guardian

This crusade is not as righteous as it may seem.

The New York Times

Odd as it may seem, things could be worse.

The Washington Post

This is not as difficult as it may seem.

The Guardian - Opinion

This question is not as trivial as it may seem.

Harvard Business Review

The combination is not as outlandish as it may seem.

The New York Times - Arts

His stance is not as odd as it may seem.

The New York Times - Sports

Internet computing, however, isn't as unreliable as it may seem.

The New York Times

This observation is not as facetious as it may seem.

The Economist

Simple as it may seem, such advice is often unheeded.

The New York Times - Sports

Counterintuitive as it may seem, this is good for everyone.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as it may seem" to introduce a surprising or unexpected twist to a statement, encouraging readers to reconsider their initial assumptions.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "as it may seem", as this can make your writing sound repetitive and predictable. Vary your sentence structure to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as it may seem" functions as an adverbial clause or introductory phrase. It serves to qualify the statement that follows, suggesting a contrast between how something appears and how it actually is. Ludwig AI confirms its wide range of usages across multiple contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as it may seem" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a statement that might contrast with initial impressions. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalent usage across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. Related phrases, such as "though it might appear" or "despite appearances", offer similar nuances. When using this phrase, consider its purpose of adding surprise or unexpectedness to your writing. Avoid overuse to prevent repetitiveness and maintain reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

though it might appear

Emphasizes the deceptive nature of initial appearances.

even if it seems

Highlights a condition or possibility that contrasts with expectations.

despite appearances

Directly contradicts a misleading outward impression.

contrary to what one might think

Explicitly challenges a presumed belief or assumption.

unexpectedly

Focuses on the element of surprise or lack of anticipation.

surprisingly enough

Adds an element of astonishment or disbelief to the statement.

it's not what you think

Informally denies an immediate conclusion or interpretation.

against all expectations

Suggests a result or situation that defies any reasonable prediction.

unbelievably

Emphasizes the difficulty in accepting a truth or reality.

it defies logic

Points out that something doesn't follow the expected rules or reasoning.

FAQs

How can I use "as it may seem" in a sentence?

Use "as it may seem" to introduce a statement that might be surprising or counterintuitive. For example, "Investing in renewable energy can be profitable, "as it may seem" given the initial costs".

What are some alternatives to "as it may seem"?

You can use alternatives like "though it might appear", "even if it seems", or "despite appearances", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "as it would seem" instead of "as it may seem"?

While "as it would seem" is grammatically correct, it carries a slightly different nuance, suggesting something appears to be true based on available evidence. "As it may seem" implies more of a contrast between appearance and reality.

What's the difference between "as it may seem" and "as it seems"?

"As it seems" suggests that something is likely true based on current information. "As it may seem" introduces an element of doubt or surprise, implying the situation is more complex than it initially appears. So you should consider using "as it seems" for things based on evidences