as they appear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as they appear" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to mean that something is seen or perceived in its current state. For example: "The facts of the matter must be accepted as they appear."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They're not as elite as they appear.

The New York Times

Introverts aren't as aloof as they appear.

Harvard Business Review

Different policies can be assigned to agents as they appear.

University of California, Berkeley

Ordered below as they appear on the microfilm.

Cornell University

But the inconsistencies are not as dramatic as they appear.

The Economist

Yet things are not as happy as they appear.

The Economist

But things are not quite as they appear.

The New York Times

They disappear as fast as they appear," she says.

Independent

We never see the dead as they appear in life.

The Guardian - Arts

offices and installations as soon as they appear in Lebanon.

The New York Times

Very often they're not as concrete as they appear.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as they appear" to describe initial impressions or observations that may not reflect the complete or underlying reality. For instance, "The situation is not always "as bad as it seems", as they appear."

Common error

Avoid relying solely on what "as they appear" to make critical decisions without further investigation. Initial appearances can be deceiving, and a deeper analysis is often required to understand the full picture.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as they appear" functions as an adverbial modifier, adding descriptive detail to a verb or clause. Ludwig provides many examples that demonstrate how it qualifies a statement by indicating appearance versus reality. The phrase frequently introduces a qualification or a contrast to an initial perception.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

25%

Science

23%

Less common in

Wiki

13%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as they appear" is a versatile tool for expressing a contrast between initial perceptions and underlying realities. It functions as an adverbial modifier, commonly found in news, academic, and scientific contexts. While grammatically sound and frequently used, as confirmed by Ludwig, it's important to recognize that judging things solely "as they appear" can be misleading. Therefore, always consider the potential for deeper understanding beyond superficial observations. The phrase is neutral in register, making it suitable for a wide range of writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as they seem

Focuses on the perceived impression rather than the actual appearance.

as they look

Emphasizes the visual aspect and immediate impression.

in their current form

Highlights the existing state or condition.

in the way they are

Focuses on the existing state without implying deception or illusion.

from what one can see

Highlights subjectivity and implies limited knowledge.

on the surface

Suggests a contrast between outward appearance and underlying reality.

ostensibly

More formal way to indicate apparent but not necessarily true reality.

to all appearances

Formal expression highlighting the perceived reality, rather than the factual one.

at first glance

Indicates an initial impression that may change with further investigation.

by all accounts

Suggests information gathered from multiple sources but not necessarily verified.

FAQs

How can I use "as they appear" in a sentence?

You can use "as they appear" to describe something's initial or superficial state, which may differ from its true nature. For example, "The statistics, "as they present", don't tell the whole story."

What are some alternatives to "as they appear"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "as they seem", "on the surface", or "ostensibly".

Is it always accurate to judge things "as they appear"?

No, judging things solely "as they appear" can be misleading. Initial impressions might not reflect the complete or true nature of a situation. Further investigation is often necessary.

What's the difference between "as they appear" and "as they are"?

"As they appear" suggests a superficial observation, while "as they are" implies a more factual or complete understanding. The former highlights perception, the latter emphasizes reality.