but seemingly

USAGE SUMMARY

"but seemingly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something appears to be one way, but in reality may be different. For example, "The sun was shining brightly, but seemingly, no one was in the park to enjoy it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But seemingly they don't.

The New York Times

The evidence was circumstantial but seemingly damning.

The New Yorker

It was unavoidable but seemingly unwinnable.

The Washington Post

They are in a minority, but seemingly fearless.

The Economist

Two large but seemingly docile dogs responded to the doorbell.

The New Yorker

But seemingly far-out concepts are okay with Huberman.

MIT Technology Review

But seemingly simple problems are not so simple to solve.

The New York Times

But seemingly random events can still come as a shock.

The New York Times - Health

Suddenly, soccer is not only cool but seemingly omnipresent.

The Guardian - Sport

The position is not just hypocritical but seemingly utterly illegal.

The Guardian - Opinion

But seemingly more than ever, shame, scandal and sadness intruded.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but seemingly" to introduce a contrast where there's a difference between appearance and reality. Ensure the sentence clearly establishes both the apparent situation and the contrasting actual situation.

Common error

Avoid using "but seemingly" when you simply want to add information without any contrast. This phrase is for highlighting discrepancies between what is perceived and what is actually true, not for general additions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but seemingly" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase. It connects two contrasting ideas, indicating that the second idea presents a reality that differs from the initial perception. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts, from news articles to scientific papers.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

21%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but seemingly" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a contrast between appearance and reality. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used in diverse contexts, primarily within News & Media, Science, and Academia. Related phrases include "but apparently" and "but evidently", offering similar nuances. When using "but seemingly", ensure you are highlighting a genuine discrepancy and not simply adding information. Ludwig provides numerous examples to guide correct usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but apparently

This alternative emphasizes that something is understood or appears based on the available evidence, but there might be hidden information or a different reality.

but evidently

This highlights that something is clear and obvious based on the existing information, although it may not be the complete picture.

yet seemingly

Replaces "but" with "yet" to offer the same contrast with slightly more emphasis on surprise or unexpectedness.

but outwardly

This focuses on the external appearance or behavior, suggesting an internal state or reality that differs.

although apparently

Uses "although" instead of "but" to begin the contrasting phrase, creating a smoother transition in some contexts.

but ostensibly

This suggests something is presented or declared in a certain way, but the true purpose or reason might be different.

but allegedly

This indicates that something is claimed to be true but has not been proven, introducing an element of doubt.

but purportedly

This conveys that something is reported or rumored to be the case, but without confirmation or guarantee of accuracy.

but supposedly

This implies that something is believed or said to be true, often without strong evidence or with a hint of skepticism.

but visibly

This focuses on what can be seen or observed, suggesting that there might be more than meets the eye.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "but seemingly" in a sentence?

Use "but seemingly" to introduce a contrast between an initial observation or expectation and a different, often surprising, reality. For example, "The task was simple, "but seemingly" insurmountable".

Are there alternatives to "but seemingly" that I can use?

Yes, you can use alternatives such as "but apparently", "but evidently", or "but outwardly", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "but seemingly" and "but obviously"?

"But seemingly" suggests a contrast between appearance and reality, while "but obviously" indicates something is easily perceived or understood. The former implies a hidden truth, while the latter emphasizes clarity.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "but seemingly"?

While grammatically correct, starting a sentence with "but seemingly" is less common. It's generally better to use it within a sentence to connect contrasting ideas. Consider starting with an initial observation, then introducing the contrast with ""but seemingly"".