had appeared to have

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had appeared to have" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase can be used to emphasize that something seemed or appeared to have happened, but with no certainty as to whether it actually did or not. For example: "The notes had appeared to have been long forgotten, yet they still held some significance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The rollback had appeared to have bipartisan support.

The New York Times

His main opponent, Ryutaro Hashimoto, had appeared to have the LDP election stitched up.

The Economist

Gatlin, at least, had appeared to have softened his stance considerably after returning home, posting on Twitter: "Emotional day.

The Guardian - Sport

In a statement, the witness said that Kidd had appeared to have "lost the plot" and had to be forcefully pulled off him.

Independent

But they had appeared to have put it behind them and had been seen drinking together on Oct. 18, the day of the killings.

The New York Times

Comparisons with his charismatic former boss were clear and unfavorable, and he squandered what had appeared to have been a large lead.

The New York Times

Department of Public Safety officials said in a statement that the vehicle had appeared to have a covered drug load and was going dangerously fast.

The New York Times

On Tuesday, Mr. Saleh announced that a Qaeda militant under arrest had appeared to have been a bodyguard for Mr. bin Shamlan at a rally.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

The republican party has appeared to have weakened from it's 'traditional' platform.

University of California, Berkeley

Paul Gascoigne, you'd have to say, has appeared to have reached the bottom of his particular vat.

Independent

None of the Bear directors have appeared to have career difficulties.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had appeared to have" to indicate a perception or impression that may or may not align with the actual facts. It's useful when describing past situations where the truth was uncertain or unfolded later.

Common error

Avoid using "had appeared to have" when a more direct and certain statement would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily convoluted or hesitant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had appeared to have" functions as a complex verb phrase indicating a past perception or impression that may not be entirely accurate or certain. It's often used to introduce an element of doubt or subsequent revelation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and serves to soften a declarative statement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had appeared to have" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey a sense of past perception or impression, often with an element of uncertainty or subsequent contradiction. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is most commonly found in news media and academic writing. While versatile, it is best used when precision and nuance are required to describe a situation where initial impressions might not align with reality. When in doubt, consider more direct alternatives if the qualification is unnecessary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seemed to have

Focuses more on the sensory impression or outward indication, simplifying the verb construction.

looked as if it had

Emphasizes the visual aspect of the appearance, suggesting an inference based on observation.

gave the impression of having

Highlights that an impression was created, pointing to a perceived rather than confirmed state.

ostensibly had

Adds a layer of potential deception or superficiality to the appearance, implying doubt.

purportedly had

Implies a claim or assertion that may not be entirely accurate or truthful.

was believed to have

Shifts the focus to a widespread belief, rather than a direct observation.

was understood to have

Indicates a common understanding or interpretation of events.

evidently had

Suggests that the evidence pointed strongly towards a particular conclusion.

superficially seemed to possess

Highlights the shallow or surface-level nature of the appearance, emphasizing a lack of depth.

on the surface, suggested

Introduces the idea that an initial assessment might differ from the underlying reality.

FAQs

How can I use "had appeared to have" in a sentence?

Use "had appeared to have" to describe a past situation where something seemed to be the case, but there was uncertainty or later evidence contradicted the initial impression. For example, "The negotiations "had appeared to have" stalled, but a surprise agreement was reached overnight."

What are some alternatives to "had appeared to have"?

You can use alternatives like "seemed to have", "looked as if it had", or "gave the impression of having" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "had appeared to have" grammatically correct?

Yes, "had appeared to have" is grammatically correct. It's a complex verb phrase that combines the past perfect tense with an infinitive construction to express an appearance or perception in the past that may not be entirely accurate.

What's the difference between "had appeared to have" and "seemed to have"?

"Had appeared to have" often implies a stronger initial impression or a more formal observation than "seemed to have". The former might be used when reporting on events based on evidence, while the latter is suitable for personal impressions or less formal contexts.