it appear as if

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it appear as if" is not correct in English.
Did you mean "it appears as if"? You can use the corrected phrase when you want to indicate a perception or assumption about a situation. Example: "It appears as if the meeting has been canceled due to unforeseen circumstances."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the Clinton Foundation did its best to make it appear as if there was.

Huffington Post

You may not realize this due to the fact that your continuously adding new cleaner oil which makes it appear as if its clean oil.

WikiHow

UBS also made it appear as if non-United States taxpayers, rather than its American clients, owned the offshore accounts.

The New York Times

We should not make it appear as if we do.

The New York Times

The illustration makes it appear as if the police were being fired upon.

University of California, Berkeley

Making it appear as if the original author wrote something they didn't.

Columbia University

So when you are away, make it appear as if you are not.

Independent

The contrast makes it appear as if public-sector pensions can be delivered on the cheap.

The Economist

The story made it appear as if all went off without a hitch.

The New York Times

An attack was launched against Reuters to make it appear as if wanted to destroy Greece.

The Guardian - Opinion

It makes it appear as if the government is neither listening nor genuine in its intentions.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the correct form "it appears as if" or consider more concise alternatives like "it seems" or "it looks as if" to improve clarity.

Common error

Ensure the verb agrees with the subject. "It" is singular, so use "appears" instead of "appear". Correct usage: "It appears as if" the meeting is starting.

Linguistic Context

The phrase is intended to function as a causal connector, introducing a clause that explains the reason or cause behind a particular situation. However, it is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig points out the proper use should be "it appears as if".

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it appear as if" is grammatically incorrect due to subject-verb disagreement. The correct form is "it appears as if". Ludwig emphasizes this correction. Alternative phrases like "it seems as if" or "it looks as if" can also be used to convey a similar meaning. Remember to ensure your verb agrees with its subject to avoid such grammatical errors, leading to clearer and more professional writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it seems as if

This alternative uses "seems" instead of "appear", offering a slightly less formal tone.

it looks as if

This alternative uses "looks" in place of "appear", giving a more visual sense of observation.

it would seem that

This phrase introduces a degree of formality and implies a conclusion based on available evidence.

it gives the impression that

This alternative emphasizes the creation of an impression, highlighting a subjective perception.

it creates the illusion that

This phrase focuses on a deceptive appearance, suggesting something is not as it seems.

it has the appearance of

This alternative uses a noun phrase to describe the outward semblance of something.

one might think that

This option introduces a speculative element, suggesting a possible but not definite conclusion.

it could be interpreted as

This phrase highlights the potential for subjective interpretation, emphasizing ambiguity.

it suggests that

This alternative conveys a subtle indication or hint of something.

the evidence points to

This phrase indicates that available information supports a particular conclusion.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "it appear as if"?

The correct form is "it appears as if". The verb must agree with the singular subject "it".

What can I say instead of "it appear as if"?

Consider using alternatives such as "it seems as if", "it looks as if", or simply "it seems".

Is "it appear as if" grammatically correct?

No, "it appear as if" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "it appears as if".

What's the difference between "it appear as if" and "it appears as if"?

"It appear as if" is grammatically incorrect due to subject-verb disagreement. "It appears as if" is the correct form.