does appear to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "does appear to be" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing an observation or a tentative conclusion about something that seems to be true. Example: "Based on the evidence presented, it does appear to be a case of negligence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Business does appear to be heating up.

The New York Times

It does appear to be true.

The Guardian - Opinion

She does appear to be genuinely scared.

The Guardian - Opinion

Confidence does appear to be contagious.

The Guardian - Sport

And there does appear to be reason for optimism.

The New York Times - Travel

"That increase does appear to be meaningful," Mr. Bunin said.

The New York Times

She does appear to be entertaining herself, though.

The New York Times - Books

And that does appear to be the case.

The New York Times - Science

NBC Universal does appear to be making headway.

The New York Times

The Downey case does appear to be unique, he says.

The Guardian

History does appear to be doing just that.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "does appear to be" to introduce an observation or conclusion that you are not entirely certain about, adding a layer of nuance to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "does appear to be" excessively in your writing, as it can make your tone sound hesitant. Opt for stronger verbs when certainty is higher.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "does appear to be" functions as an epistemic marker, indicating the speaker's assessment of the likelihood or certainty of a proposition. It serves to qualify a statement, suggesting a degree of probability or inference rather than absolute certainty. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is valid and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

32%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "does appear to be" is a versatile tool for expressing tentative conclusions and observations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and frequently used across diverse contexts, particularly in news and science. While ""seems to be"" and ""appears to be"" offer simpler alternatives, "does appear to be" adds a subtle emphasis. Remember to use it judiciously to maintain a balanced and nuanced tone in your writing. The phrase serves as an epistemic marker. It's important to prevent writers from overusing it in their writing, as it can make your tone sound hesitant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seems to be

More direct and common alternative, lacks the emphasis "does" provides.

appears to be

More formal alternative, similar in meaning but without the added emphasis.

would seem to be

Adds a degree of speculation or possibility.

it would seem that

Emphasizes the inferential nature of the observation.

suggests that it is

Indirectly implies a conclusion based on evidence.

one might conclude that

Emphasizes the potential for drawing a conclusion.

it looks like

More informal and observational.

it may be inferred that

Formal and emphasizes the logical deduction.

it gives the impression of being

Highlights the subjective perception of something.

can be interpreted as

Focuses on the interpretation of a situation or event.

FAQs

How can I use "does appear to be" in a sentence?

Use "does appear to be" when you want to express a tentative conclusion based on available evidence. For example: "Based on the data, it "does appear to be" a significant correlation".

What phrases can I use instead of "does appear to be"?

Alternatives include "seems to be", "appears to be", or "it looks like" depending on the level of formality you want to convey.

Is "does appear to be" more formal than "seems to be"?

"Does appear to be" is slightly more emphatic than "seems to be", but both are generally appropriate for formal contexts. "It looks like" is more informal.

What's the difference between "does appear to be" and "appears to be"?

The addition of "does" in "does appear to be" adds emphasis. It suggests a stronger inclination to believe something based on the available evidence compared to simply stating ""appears to be"".