does not appear to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase “does not appear to be” is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to mean something looks like one thing but isn’t actually that thing. For example, “The package does not appear to be the one we ordered.”.

✓ 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

It does not appear to be working.

The Guardian

It does not appear to be regulated.

The Guardian

Does not appear to be seriously suicidal.

The New Yorker

One does not appear to be forthcoming.

The New York Times

However, this does not appear to be the case.

Public Health

However, the test does not appear to be entirely reliable.

International Congress Series

The situation does not appear to be well understood.

University of California, Berkeley

: this does not appear to be the case.

University of California, Berkeley

Intramolecular isomer interconversion does not appear to be involved.

Stanford University

Quinacrine does not appear to be the ideal radiation sensitizer.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing academically or professionally, consider rephrasing "does not appear to be" for alternatives with higher formality level like "it is not suggested that".

Common error

While "does not appear to be" is a useful phrase, avoid overusing it. Vary your language by using synonyms like "seems not to be" or restructuring your sentence to sound more direct and confident.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "does not appear to be" functions as a qualifying expression, softening a statement by indicating that something is not evidently true based on current observation or information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound way to express uncertainty. Example: "He does not appear to be listening."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

35%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "does not appear to be" is a versatile phrase used to express tentative observations or uncertainty. As Ludwig AI validates, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely applicable across numerous contexts. The linguistic analysis reveals that it functions as a qualifying expression, softening statements and avoiding definitive claims. While common in news and media, science, and academic writing, it maintains a neutral register. To enhance your writing, remember to vary your language and avoid overusing this phrase. Consider the best practices and common errors to refine your usage. For example, replacing "does not appear to be" with alternatives such as "seems not to be" in academic papers may improve formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seems not to be

Replaces "appear" with "seem", maintaining a similar sense of observation but may imply a slightly stronger feeling.

does not seem to be

Includes "seem" for a slightly more nuanced take, indicating a judgment based on available evidence.

is not apparently

Uses "apparently" to emphasize the lack of obviousness, giving a stronger overtone than "appear".

is not evidently

Indicates that something is not clear or obvious based on the available evidence.

is not visibly

Focuses on the lack of visual evidence, specifying that something cannot be seen or observed easily.

is not suggestive of

This structure uses "suggestive" to show lack of implication of something

there's no indication that

This alternative is less formal, but still suitable in professional contexts.

there's no sign of

Replaces "appear to be" with "sign of" highlighting a lack of evidence.

it is not suggested that

This is a more formal phrase, indicating that there is no evidence to suggest a particular conclusion.

it's unlikely to be

Shifts the focus to probability, suggesting something is improbable rather than simply unapparent.

FAQs

How can I use "does not appear to be" in a sentence?

Use "does not appear to be" to express a tentative observation based on the available evidence. For example, "The data "does not appear to be" conclusive."

What phrases are similar to "does not appear to be"?

You can use phrases like "seems not to be", "is not apparently", or "it is unlikely to be" depending on the context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "does not seem to be" instead of "does not appear to be"?

Yes, "does not seem to be" is a perfectly acceptable alternative. Both phrases convey a similar meaning, indicating a tentative observation based on the available evidence.

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

"Does not appear to be" suggests an observation or tentative conclusion based on available evidence, whereas "is not" is a more direct and definitive statement. For example, "The claim "does not appear to be" supported by evidence" implies uncertainty, while "The claim is not supported by evidence" is a stronger, more assertive statement.