despite seeming

USAGE SUMMARY

'despite seeming' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that appears one way, but is actually another way. For example: Despite seeming aloof, he was actually very friendly and inviting.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Lineker did not require a bandage, despite seeming to bleed quite profusely during the opening segment.

Independent

As result, despite seeming so light and barely filling you up at all, avocados are hugely calorific.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Putin was accused last month of funding separatist fighters in east Ukraine – which he denies – despite seeming to back the rebels in the battle for Debaltseve.

Independent

A19 Postwar Strains Remain The wartime strains between leaders of the major industrialized countries are still in evidence despite seeming unity on rebuilding Iraq into a stable democracy.

The New York Times

Petula Clark puts a charge into "Downtown" in a 1965 performance despite seeming to have her feet nailed to the floor, presumably for the cameraman's benefit.

The New York Times - Arts

Despite seeming an odd couple, miso and parmesan do work well together and give the barley an intensely savoury flavour that's perfect with sweet carrots.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Platform differences contribute to low accuracy of microarrays, so "despite" seems to be out of place.

Biology Direct

Despite his seeming ubiquity, Murray is notoriously hard to get hold of.

The New Yorker

and we couldn't do anything to refute it, despite it seeming totally phantom.

The Guardian

Despite this seeming fixation with all things American, Fink hopes that people can relate to some of the figures.

Independent

Despite the seeming harshness of the climate, the landscape around the monolith supports a variety of flora and fauna.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "despite seeming", ensure that the contrasting information is clearly and directly stated afterward to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "despite seeming" when the subsequent statement doesn't genuinely offer a contrast. The phrase signals an unexpected contradiction, so ensure the information that follows truly defies initial expectations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "despite seeming" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a clause by introducing a contrasting element or unexpected circumstance. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in setting up a contrast between an initial impression and the actual reality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

20%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "despite seeming" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to introduce a contrast between appearance and reality. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical status and common usage. It's prevalent in news, science, and academic contexts, signaling a surprising or unexpected element. To use it effectively, ensure the contrast is clear and genuine. Alternatives like "although appearing" or "notwithstanding the appearance of" can be considered for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

though seemingly

A more concise way of expressing the contrast, using "though" and "seemingly".

in spite of the apparent

Similar to "despite", but highlights what is "apparent".

while appearing

Highlights the contrasting reality alongside the appearance.

even though appearing

Emphasizes the contrast between the apparent state and the actual state using "even though".

even if appearing

Similar to "even though appearing", but implies a hypothetical scenario.

although presenting as

Focuses on how something or someone "presents" themselves.

notwithstanding the appearance of

A more formal way to introduce the contrast with an emphasis on the "appearance".

against all appearances

Highlights that the truth is the opposite of what one would assume from looking at the external appearance.

regardless of the facade of

Implies a deceptive or misleading outward appearance using "facade".

contrary to expectations

Emphasizes the surprise factor when the reality differs from what was expected.

FAQs

How can I use "despite seeming" in a sentence?

Use "despite seeming" to introduce a fact that contrasts with an initial impression or appearance. For instance, "Despite seeming intimidating, he was actually very approachable".

What's the difference between "despite seeming" and "although appearing"?

"Despite seeming" emphasizes a surprising contrast with an initial impression, while "although appearing" simply acknowledges an appearance before stating a different reality. The former has a stronger sense of unexpectedness.

Is it correct to say "in spite of seeming" instead of "despite seeming"?

While grammatically sound, "in spite of seeming" is less common than "despite seeming". Both phrases express a contrast, but "despite" is generally preferred for its conciseness and frequency in modern usage.

What are some alternatives to "despite seeming" for formal writing?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "notwithstanding the appearance of" or "in spite of the apparent" to convey a similar meaning with a more sophisticated tone.