do not appear to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "do not appear to be" is correct and is commonly used in written English.
You can use it when you want to express doubt about a particular state or situation. For example, "The results of the experiment do not appear to be conclusive enough to make a definitive statement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Aliens do not appear to be involved.

The New York Times

These do not appear to be causal effects, however.

Research Policy

However, its populations do not appear to be in decline.

Cornell University

But the moves do not appear to be working well.

The New York Times

Schools do not appear to be adding much value.

The New York Times

Hester's injuries do not appear to be life threatening.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

I don't appear to be in any pain.

Cornell University

They don't appear to be.

BBC

Don't appear to be desperate.

WikiHow

Don't appear to be listening.

WikiHow

He does not appear to be listening.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "do not appear to be", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject is not appearing to be. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "do not appear to be" excessively in passive constructions. Opt for active voice where possible to make your writing more direct and engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do not appear to be" functions as a hedge, softening a statement or assertion. Ludwig AI highlights it's used to express doubt or uncertainty rather than making a definitive claim. It introduces a degree of tentativeness, indicating that something is not evident upon initial observation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

34%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Wiki

11%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "do not appear to be" is a versatile and common expression used to convey a cautious observation or tentative conclusion. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and frequent use across diverse contexts like news, science, and academic writing. While suitable for both neutral and formal registers, it allows speakers and writers to hedge their statements, acknowledging uncertainty or the possibility of alternative interpretations. Remember to use it mindfully, ensuring the context clarifies what is not appearing to be, and avoiding overuse in passive voice constructions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seem not to be

Replaces "appear" with "seem", maintaining a similar level of formality and meaning.

don't seem to be

Uses "seem" instead of "appear" in a contracted form, slightly less formal.

are not seemingly

Rearranges the sentence structure, placing "seemingly" after "not", which provides a more emphatic tone.

are apparently not

Employs "apparently" to convey a sense of observed but unconfirmed reality.

are not evidently

Utilizes "evidently" to imply that the lack of appearance is based on visible signs.

are not ostensibly

Uses "ostensibly" to suggest a contrast between outward appearance and underlying reality.

give no indication of being

This phrase shifts the focus to a lack of signals or evidence, implying a more thorough investigation.

there's no evidence of

Expresses a lack of proof, stronger than a simple lack of appearance.

fail to show signs of

Highlights the absence of indicators that would normally be expected.

are far from being

Indicates a significant deviation from a certain state or condition, implying distance or difference.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "do not appear to be" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "seem not to be" or "are apparently not". These options maintain a professional tone while conveying a similar meaning.

Is there a less formal way to say "do not appear to be"?

In less formal contexts, you can use "don't seem to be" or simply "doesn't look like". These alternatives are suitable for casual conversations or informal writing.

What is the difference between "do not appear to be" and "does not seem to be"?

The phrases "do not appear to be" and "does not seem to be" are largely interchangeable. However, "do not appear to be" might suggest a slightly more objective observation, while "does not seem to be" might indicate a subjective impression.

How to use "do not appear to be" in a sentence?

You can use "do not appear to be" to express doubt or uncertainty about something. For example, "The symptoms do not appear to be life-threatening" or "The changes do not appear to be correlated with changes in electrode impedance".