does not appear to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "does not appear to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing uncertainty or a lack of evidence regarding a situation or condition. Example: "The evidence does not appear to support the claims made by the defendant."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He does not appear to be listening.

The New Yorker

He does not appear to mind that.

The New York Times - Sports

It does not appear to be working.

The Guardian

He does not appear to work.

The Guardian

It does not appear to be regulated.

The Guardian

Does not appear to be seriously suicidal.

The New Yorker

The woman does not appear to climax.

The Guardian - Books

One does not appear to be forthcoming.

The New York Times

QOL does not appear to correlate well with functional outcomes.

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

IPL does not appear to have sensitivity issues.

Microelectronic Engineering

hL-PYK activity does not appear to require monovalent cation.

Methods in Enzymology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "does not appear to" when you want to express a cautious or tentative conclusion based on available evidence, rather than stating a definitive fact. This adds nuance and acknowledges uncertainty.

Common error

Avoid using "does not appear to" excessively in highly formal or academic writing where more precise and assertive language might be expected. Consider stronger verbs or more direct statements to convey your point more effectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "does not appear to" functions as a hedge, expressing uncertainty or a qualified assessment. It's used to soften claims, indicating that something is not definitively proven or evident based on available information, as Ludwig AI confirms.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

33%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "does not appear to" is a versatile tool for expressing uncertainty and qualified assessments. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use, particularly in academic, scientific, and news contexts. It functions as a hedge, softening claims and indicating that something is not definitively proven. When writing, remember that alternatives like "seems unlikely to" or "is not evident" can provide similar nuance, and avoid overuse in highly formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it seems not to

Adds a more explicit subjective element.

seems unlikely to

Emphasizes a low probability or expectation.

unlikely to be

Conveys a sense of low likelihood, similar to "seems unlikely to".

suggests not

Highlights the lack of suggestion or evidence supporting a claim.

gives no indication of

Highlights the lack of any sign or signal.

is not evident

Focuses on the absence of clear proof or indication.

fails to show

Emphasizes the lack of demonstration or proof.

is not suggestive of

Implies that something does not point towards a particular conclusion.

is not readily apparent

Highlights that something is not easily visible or understandable.

it's doubtful that

Expresses skepticism or disbelief regarding a situation.

FAQs

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

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "is not evident", "is not indicative of", or "fails to demonstrate". These alternatives offer a stronger, more assertive way to express a lack of apparent evidence.

Is "does not appear to" always interchangeable with "doesn't seem to"?

While similar, "does not appear to" is generally more formal than "doesn't seem to". "Doesn't seem to" is better suited for informal contexts, while "does not appear to" works well in academic or professional settings.

How to use "does not appear to" in a sentence?

Use "does not appear to" when you want to express uncertainty about something based on the available information. For example: "The data "does not appear to" support the hypothesis."

What's the difference between "does not appear to" and "seems not to"?

"Does not appear to" is generally preferred over "seems not to" due to its more common usage and natural flow in English. "Seems not to" is grammatically correct but less frequently used.