it appeared that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it appeared that" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
The phrase is used to indicate that something appears to be the case based on the evidence present. Example sentence: It appeared that the man had been in a fight because his knuckles were scraped and bruised.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At least it appeared that way on my Twitter feed.

The New York Times

It appeared that way.

Vice

It appeared that I had not.

The New Yorker

It appeared that she had been raped.

The New Yorker

It appeared that the cans were filled.

Cornell University

Until it appeared that the model didn't.

The New York Times

Especially, it appeared that categorical perception is involved.

Revue Européenne de Psychologie Appliquée-European Review of Applied Psychology

It appeared that Papon's career was over.

The Guardian

It appeared that glasnost was dead.

The Guardian - Travel

If it did, it appeared that they were clipped.

The New York Times - Sports

It appeared that some consequences have already materialized.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it appeared that" to introduce an observation or conclusion based on available information. This phrase is especially useful when you want to convey a sense of objectivity or distance from the statement.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "it appeared that". This can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your sentence structure by using synonyms or rephrasing the information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it appeared that" functions as an introductory clause, setting the stage for a statement based on observation or inference. It serves to qualify the statement that follows, indicating a degree of uncertainty or reliance on appearances, as suggested by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it appeared that" is a versatile phrase used to introduce observations or conclusions based on available information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts. While very common, it's advisable to avoid overuse in consecutive sentences for better writing flow. Its frequent appearance in News & Media, Science, and Academia, indicates its suitability for both formal and neutral registers. For alternative phrasing, consider using "it seemed that" or "it looked like" to add nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it seemed that

Replaces "appeared" with "seemed", offering a very close synonym with minimal change in tone or meaning.

it looked like

Uses a more visual term, "looked", to indicate appearance, suggesting a visual impression.

it suggested that

Shifts the focus to suggestion rather than direct appearance, implying a more subtle indication.

it indicated that

Similar to "suggested that" but implies a clearer sign or indication.

it was evident that

Conveys a stronger sense of certainty, suggesting the appearance was quite clear and obvious.

it transpired that

Indicates that something became known over time, often unexpectedly.

it emerged that

Similar to "transpired that", but focuses on the gradual coming into view or awareness.

one could infer that

Shifts to a more formal tone, emphasizing the process of drawing a conclusion based on evidence.

the evidence suggested

Highlights the role of evidence in forming the appearance or conclusion.

the data implied that

Specifically refers to data as the basis for the appearance or conclusion, suitable for analytical contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "it appeared that" in a sentence?

Use "it appeared that" to introduce an observation or conclusion based on available information, often implying a degree of uncertainty. For example, "It appeared that the storm had passed, but the skies were still dark."

What are some alternatives to "it appeared that"?

You can use alternatives like "it seemed that", "it looked like", or "it suggested that" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "it appeared that" and "it seems that"?

While similar, "it appeared that" often suggests a conclusion drawn from specific observations, while "it seems that" can indicate a more general impression or feeling. "It seems that" is slightly less formal.

When is it appropriate to use "it appeared that" in writing?

Use "it appeared that" when you want to present an observation or conclusion that is based on available evidence but not definitively proven. It's suitable for both formal and informal writing.