do not seem to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "do not seem to" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use this phrase to show that something appears unlikely, or that something doesn't appear to be true. For example: "The results of the survey do not seem to indicate that the majority of people like the new policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But firms do not seem to mind.

The Economist

They do not seem to mind.

The Economist

Many residents do not seem to mind.

The New York Times

The fans do not seem to mind.

The New York Times - Sports

But investors do not seem to benefit.

The Economist

His players do not seem to mind.

The New York Times - Sports

Investors do not seem to care.

The Economist

Our results do not seem to support the claim above.

Research Policy

Interestingly, project-specific factors do not seem to affect timing.

Research Policy

Her supporters do not seem to care.

The New York Times

They do not seem to belong.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "do not seem to" to express a tentative or cautious observation, avoiding overly strong assertions.

Common error

While acceptable, excessive use of "do not seem to" can make your writing sound hesitant. Opt for stronger verbs when appropriate to enhance clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do not seem to" functions as a hedging device, softening assertions and expressing uncertainty or a tentative assessment. This is consistent with Ludwig's explanation that this phrase shows that something appears unlikely or not true.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "do not seem to" is a versatile phrase used to express uncertainty, hedging statements, and avoid strong assertions. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Academia. While it's a valuable tool for cautious expression, overuse can dilute your writing's impact. Consider alternatives like "appear not to" or "are unlikely to" for variety. As a final note, using the phrase correctly involves ensuring the subject-verb agreement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appear not to

Uses a different verb to convey a similar sense of something not being apparent.

don't appear to

A more concise version using a contraction, expressing the same lack of apparent quality.

don't appear to be

Emphasizes the state of not being something, similar to the original phrase's implication.

do not appear as

Highlights the lack of resemblance or manifestation.

do not pretend to

Indicates a lack of pretense or feigning.

do not claim to

Indicates that someone is not asserting something as fact.

fail to

Implies a lack of success or ability in achieving something.

do not happen to

Indicates that something is not occurring by chance or coincidence.

do not try to

Expresses a lack of effort or attempt to do something.

are unlikely to

Expresses a low probability of something happening.

FAQs

How can I use "do not seem to" in a sentence?

You can use "do not seem to" to express uncertainty or a tentative observation. For example, "The results "do not seem to support" the hypothesis".

What's the difference between "do not seem to" and "does not seem to"?

"Do not seem to" is used with plural subjects (e.g., "They do not seem to care"), while "does not seem to" is used with singular subjects (e.g., "He does not seem to mind").

What can I say instead of "do not seem to"?

You can use alternatives like "appear not to", "don't appear to", or "are unlikely to" depending on the context.

Is "do not seem to be" grammatically correct?

Yes, "do not seem to be" is grammatically correct and commonly used. For example, "The problems "do not seem to be" resolved yet".