does not seem to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'does not seem to' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used when something is perceived as unlikely or doubtful. For example: He does not seem to understand the concept.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It does not seem to be working.

The Economist

The data does not seem to exist.

The New York Times

He does not seem to have many.

The New York Times

She does not seem to shock easily.

The New York Times

Buckfast does not seem to help.

The New York Times

But it does not seem to now.

The Economist

Mr LePage does not seem to care.

The Economist

That does not seem to discourage Murphy.

The New York Times - Sports

But he does not seem to mind.

The New York Times

The government does not seem to care.

The Guardian

Winning does not seem to concern him.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "does not seem to" to express a tentative assessment based on available evidence, rather than a definitive statement.

Common error

Avoid using "does not seem to" when you have strong evidence against something. Instead, use stronger phrasing to convey certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "does not seem to" functions as a modal expression indicating a degree of uncertainty or a tentative assessment. Ludwig shows examples in which the phrase is used to express doubt about a situation or someone's ability. The Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "does not seem to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for conveying uncertainty or tentative assessment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, ranging from formal to informal, although predominantly found in news and scientific publications. When employing this phrase, remember that its primary function is to soften statements, indicating a lack of complete conviction. Consider alternatives such as "appears unlikely to" or "it's doubtful that" for slightly different shades of meaning, and avoid using it when you have strong evidence against something to prevent overstating your claim.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unlikely to

This directly states the improbability of something occurring, omitting the subjective assessment.

appears unlikely to

This alternative replaces "does not seem to" with a more formal and direct expression of improbability.

it's improbable that

This is a more formal substitute, emphasizing the low probability of something happening.

it's doubtful that

This alternative introduces a degree of uncertainty, focusing on the speaker's doubt.

it's questionable whether

This alternative emphasizes the uncertainty surrounding a particular outcome or situation.

it remains uncertain if

This suggests that the situation is unresolved and lacks a clear indication.

it's hard to believe that

This highlights the speaker's difficulty in accepting a particular fact or situation.

fails to

This alternative indicates a lack of success or achievement, replacing the sense of uncertainty.

shows no sign of

This focuses on the absence of evidence, instead of the expectation.

there's little indication of

This points to a lack of clear signs or signals that something is happening or will happen.

FAQs

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

Use "does not seem to" to express a lack of certainty or a tentative observation, such as "He "does not seem to" understand the instructions".

What are some alternatives to "does not seem to"?

You can use alternatives like "appears unlikely to", "unlikely to", or "it's doubtful that" to express similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

Is it better to say "does not seem to be" or "doesn't seem to be"?

Both "does not seem to be" and "doesn't seem to be" are grammatically correct, but "doesn't seem to be" is more informal and conversational. Choose the one that suits the tone of your writing.

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

"Does not seem to" and "does not appear to be" are very similar in meaning. "Appear" suggests a visual impression, while "seem" is more general and can refer to any kind of perception or judgment.