Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
does not seems to be
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase 'does not seem to be' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express doubt or to talk about something that you think is unlikely to be true. For example: "The meteor shower tonight does not seem to be happening."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
Science
News & Media
Formal & Business
Alternative expressions(20)
does not seem to be the case
does not appear to be
does not seem to be improving
does not seem to be the best strategy
does not seem to be
it does not look like
it is unlikely that
it is doubtful that
it is questionable whether
it is not evident that
it remains to be seen whether
it is far from certain that
does not appears to be
does not seems to make
does not seems to cause
does not seems to have
does not seems to increase
does not seems to change
does not seems to influence
does not seems to shock
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
2 human-written examples
With respect to the small patient sample, precarity does not seems to be associated with hospital mortality or length of stay.
Science
Secondly, we find that under violence in vitro, the self-lock system does not seems to be sufficiently sturdy and can be unlocked.
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
58 human-written examples
It does not seem to be working.
News & Media
That does not seem to be happening.
News & Media
Completion does not seem to be nigh.
News & Media
Certainly it does not seem to be doing any harm.
News & Media
That plan does not seem to be working.
News & Media
That does not seem to be the case with Herbalife.
News & Media
This does not seem to be correct.
Science
This does not seem to be valid for CH4.
Science
The answer does not seem to be at hand.
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Always use the correct form "does not seem to be" instead of "does not seems to be" to ensure grammatical accuracy.
Common error
Avoid using the third-person singular form of the verb "seem" after "does not". The correct form is the base form, "seem". Therefore, always write "does not seem to be" not "does not seems to be".
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
2.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "does not seems to be" is intended to function as a negative assertion, expressing a lack of indication or evidence. It attempts to convey that something is unlikely or not apparent. However, it is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig's examples show the correct form, "does not seem to be".
Frequent in
Science
34%
News & Media
58%
Formal & Business
8%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "does not seems to be" is grammatically incorrect; the correct form is "does not seem to be". While its intended meaning is generally clear—to express doubt or a lack of evidence—its incorrect grammar undermines its effectiveness, especially in formal writing. Ludwig indicates that the correct phrase is "does not seem to be". Always use the grammatically correct form, and consider alternatives like "does not appear to be" for greater clarity and precision. Although found in a mix of contexts, prioritizing grammatical correctness enhances credibility.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
does not seem to be
Corrects the verb form from "seems" to "seem", resulting in a grammatically sound and semantically equivalent phrase.
does not appear to be
Replaces "seems" with "appear", providing a grammatically correct alternative with a similar meaning.
it does not look like
Offers a more informal way to express a similar idea, focusing on visual assessment rather than general impression.
it is unlikely that
Expresses a low probability of something being true or happening, shifting the focus to likelihood.
it is doubtful that
Highlights uncertainty or disbelief regarding a particular situation or statement.
it is questionable whether
Suggests that something is open to debate or lacks sufficient evidence.
it is not evident that
Emphasizes that there is no clear indication or proof of something.
it remains to be seen whether
Indicates that the outcome or truth of something is still uncertain and will only become clear in the future.
it is far from certain that
Stresses a high degree of uncertainty or doubt.
it gives no indication of being
Focuses on the lack of any sign or evidence that something is the case.
FAQs
What's the correct way to say something doesn't appear a certain way?
The correct phrase is "does not seem to be". For example, "That "does not seem to be the case"" is grammatically correct, whereas "does not seems to be" is not.
Is "does not seem to be" formal or informal?
"Does not seem to be" is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, you might prefer "it does not appear to be" or "it would not seem to be".
What are some alternatives to "does not seem to be"?
Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "does not appear to be", "is unlikely to be", or "is doubtful". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.
How can I use "does not seem to be" in a sentence?
You can use "does not seem to be" to express doubt or uncertainty. For example, "The weather "does not seem to be improving" today", or "This "does not seem to be the best strategy"".
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
2.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested