do not seem to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "do not seem to be" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to express doubt about an idea, opinion, or statement. Example: Some of the evidence in the case does not seem to be reliable.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They do not seem to be very effective.

University of California, Berkeley

There do not seem to be such plans in Greece.

University of California, Berkeley

You do not seem to be a natural Labour voter.

Independent

Investors do not seem to be worried, however.

The Economist

So far, they do not seem to be.

The Economist

The threats, however, do not seem to be carried out.

The New York Times

But prices do not seem to be keeping anyone away.

The New York Times

The stops do not seem to be without reason.

The New York Times

Nevertheless, the (1×1) structures observed do not seem to be the most stable ones.

Catalysis Today

"We do not seem to be in the same ballpark".

The New York Times

Official reassurances do not seem to be carrying much weight.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "do not seem to be" to express a tentative observation or a polite disagreement. For example, "The results of the experiment do not seem to be conclusive."

Common error

While grammatically correct, relying too heavily on "do not seem to be" can make your writing sound weak. Opt for more direct and assertive language when appropriate. For example, instead of saying "The data do not seem to be accurate", try "The data are inaccurate".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do not seem to be" functions as a qualifying expression, softening a statement and indicating a lack of certainty or a tentative observation. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples where the phrase is used to express doubt or a preliminary assessment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

30%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "do not seem to be" is a versatile expression used to convey a lack of certainty or a tentative observation. As verified by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly used across various domains, including science, news, and academia. While appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, it's crucial to be mindful of overusing it, especially in formal writing, where more assertive language may be preferred. Alternatives such as "appear not to be" or "do not appear to be" can provide subtle variations in meaning. Mastering the usage of "do not seem to be" can enhance the nuance and precision of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appear not to be

Indicates a lack of apparent existence or characteristic.

do not appear to be

Emphasizes the absence of visible or obvious signs.

do not look like they are

Focuses on a visual assessment of similarity.

do not strike me as

Highlights a subjective impression or judgment.

give no indication of being

Stresses the lack of any suggestive evidence.

are not suggestive of

Focuses on the lack of suggestive nature.

fail to demonstrate

Highlights a failure to prove or show something.

do not pretend to be

Emphasizes the lack of false pretense.

do not claim to be

Emphasizes the absence of self-proclaimed status.

are not known to be

Indicates the absence of widespread knowledge or evidence.

FAQs

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

Use "do not seem to be" when you want to express a tentative observation or a polite disagreement. For example: "The new regulations "do not seem to be" effective."

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

You can use alternatives like "appear not to be", "do not appear to be", or "are not suggestive of" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "do not seem to be" or "does not seem to be"?

"Do not seem to be" is used with plural subjects, while "does not seem to be" is used with singular subjects. For example: "They do not seem to be happy" vs "He does not seem to be happy."

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

"Do not seem to be" implies a lack of certainty or a tentative observation, while "are not" is a more direct and assertive statement. For example: "The issues "do not seem to be" resolved" vs "The issues are not resolved".