it appears definite

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it appears definite" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that something seems to be clear or certain based on the information available. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, it appears definite that the project will be completed on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Kildare's players reacted by releasing a statement calling for McGeeney's return to the job but nearly two weeks on, it appears definite that the Armagh man will not be managing the Leinster county in 2014.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

On the hot-button social issues, from reproductive rights to gay marriage, there appear definite rhetorical differences, but the president exercises very little direct control over most of these policies.

Huffington Post

"It is too soon to say anything definite, but it appears to be a type of bullet fired by a rifle".

BBC

Despite more viral strains are needed to draw any definite conclusion, it appears the emergence of CCHF in Turkey may be the result of an amplification of local viral isolates by wildlife populations rather than resulting from novel introductions from neighbouring countries.

BMC Infectious Diseases

The earliest definite notice of it appears unhelpfully late, when it is mentioned in Francis Meres's Palladis Tamia, an invaluable repository of Elizabethan literary gossip published in 1598.

The Guardian

The signal isn't yet strong enough to claim a definite discovery, Pleier says, but it appears to be consistent with the standard model.

Science Magazine

Therefore, it appears that more work in this direction is needed to provide a definite solution.

Nano-Micro Letters

S_n(r) = \frac{n\pi^{n/2}}{\Gamma(\frac{n}{2}+1)}r^{n-1} V_n(r) = \frac{\pi^{n/2}}{\Gamma(\frac{n}{2}+1)}r^n appears in definite integrals that describe circumference, area, or volume of shapes generated by circles.

Wikipedia

Suggesting there also might be some flexibility in settling on the final terms, he said, "It is probably not quite as definite as it might appear from some of the papers".

The New York Times

They are first and foremost supranormal beings that appear in definite visions, auditory experiences, and other such occurrences.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Though sparse, the arising system of linear equations is ill-conditioned; however, when written in terms of a short support wavelet basis with a well-chosen normalization, the resulting system, which is symmetric positive definite, appears to be well-conditioned, as evidenced by the fast convergence of the conjugate gradient iteration.

Journal of Approximation Theory

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "it appears definite" in contexts that demand absolute certainty. In such cases, use phrases like "it is definite" or "it is certain".

Common error

A common mistake is to use "it appears definite" when the situation requires a more definitive statement. If there is no room for doubt, a stronger phrase like "it is definite" is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it appears definite" functions as an evidential statement, indicating a conclusion drawn from available evidence but without absolute certainty. The word "appears" softens the assertion, aligning with Ludwig's analysis that it expresses likelihood rather than incontrovertible fact.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

25%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

16%

Less common in

Wiki

16%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it appears definite" is a grammatically correct and usable expression for conveying a strong sense of likelihood based on available information, as Ludwig confirms. It's best used when you want to express a conclusion supported by evidence without asserting absolute certainty. While not exceedingly common, the phrase finds use across various contexts, particularly in news and scientific reporting. Remember to consider the degree of certainty you wish to convey and avoid overstating claims when using this phrase. Alternatives like "it seems certain" or "it looks definite" may offer subtle differences in emphasis, allowing you to fine-tune your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it seems certain

Replaces "appears" with "seems", emphasizing the impression of certainty.

it looks definite

Uses "looks" instead of "appears", providing a more visual sense of certainty.

it is certainly definite

Adds "certainly" for emphasis, reinforcing the definiteness.

it is undoubtedly definite

Substitutes "undoubtedly" to highlight the lack of doubt.

it is clearly definite

Employs "clearly" to stress the obvious nature of the definiteness.

it appears conclusive

Replaces "definite" with "conclusive", indicating a final and irrefutable determination.

it seems conclusive

Combines "seems" with "conclusive" to express a strong impression of finality.

it is virtually certain

Uses "virtually certain" to suggest near-total assurance.

it's almost definite

Adds "almost" to qualify the definiteness, indicating a slight degree of uncertainty.

the evidence suggests it's definite

Attributes the definiteness to the evidence, making it more objective.

FAQs

What does "it appears definite" mean?

The phrase "it appears definite" indicates that something seems to be certain or very likely based on the available information, though without expressing absolute certainty.

When should I use "it appears definite" in my writing?

Use "it appears definite" when you want to convey a strong likelihood based on evidence, but you are not willing to commit to a statement of absolute certainty. It's suitable when there is a high degree of confidence, but a small chance of error remains.

What are some alternatives to "it appears definite"?

You can use alternatives like "it seems certain", "it looks definite", or "it is clearly definite" depending on the context and the level of certainty you want to express.

Is there a difference between "it appears definite" and "it is definite"?

Yes, "it appears definite" suggests a conclusion based on observation or evidence, but with a slight degree of uncertainty. "It is definite" is a stronger statement expressing absolute certainty and leaves no room for doubt.