it appears suspicious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it appears suspicious" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing doubt or concern about the legitimacy or trustworthiness of something. Example: "The sudden change in the project's timeline raises a red flag; it appears suspicious."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Reference

Social Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

"If they were satisfied with their documentation, they were allowed to go, and if it appeared suspicious they were held," she said.

The New York Times

ZTE's result appears suspicious because just two weeks before it had warned profits might fall as much as 80%.

Forbes

20121234567 appears suspicious, and in this instance appearances do not deceive: There is no Samantha Pierce listed on the Colorado notary site, with that notary ID or any other.

The Washington Post

If a lesion appears suspicious for malignancy on imaging, the challenge then is in determining if it is an unusual metastases or second cancer (Fig. 3).

Cancer Imaging

Many opponents worried that he would suggest a practice that allows the police to stop, question and pat down anyone who appears suspicious.

The New York Times

Caesar's subject, Mutai, appears suspicious of fortune, aware perhaps that some of his fellow elite runners have been ruined by riches.

The Guardian - Sport

With Mickey hospitalised, Jessica is left to manage alone, and in her paranoid state everyone from her own brother to the au pair's boyfriend appears suspicious.

The Guardian - Books

The explanation that she was reaching out to other Native Americans — when she was merely listed as a "minority" — certainly appears suspicious, but there is no conclusive evidence that she used her status in the listing to land a job.

The Washington Post

Russia appears suspicious about the EU's ambitions in former Soviet republics.

BBC

Contact Duke University Police Department immediately, 911 or 684-2444, in the event of any incident that threatens safety or appears suspicious.

Duke University

Surrey Police wants people to report anything they hear or see, including information on the internet, that appears suspicious.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it appears suspicious", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific aspect is causing suspicion. Provide supporting details or reasons to justify the assessment.

Common error

Avoid using "it appears suspicious" as a default or knee-jerk reaction. Always provide concrete observations or evidence to support your suspicion, rather than relying on vague feelings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it appears suspicious" functions as an assessment, indicating a subjective judgment that something seems untrustworthy or questionable. Ludwig AI confirms this grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it appears suspicious" is a grammatically correct expression used to convey a sense of doubt or uncertainty about something. While examples of its exact usage are rare, Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Semantically related alternatives such as "it seems questionable" or "it raises red flags" can be used to express similar sentiments. When using this phrase, it is crucial to provide context and justification for the suspicion. Remember to avoid overusing the phrase without supporting evidence, as this can weaken the assessment. Although versatile, its register is neutral, suitable for news, professional and general conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it seems questionable

Focuses on the dubiousness or uncertainty of something.

it looks doubtful

Emphasizes the lack of certainty or promise.

it gives cause for concern

Highlights the potential for worry or alarm.

it raises red flags

Indicates warning signs or potential problems.

it seems dubious

Highlights the questionable nature of something.

it inspires distrust

Focuses on the lack of trust or confidence.

it provokes skepticism

Suggests a questioning or doubting attitude.

it smells fishy

Uses an informal idiom to express suspicion.

it doesn't add up

Implies inconsistencies or a lack of coherence.

it leaves room for doubt

Suggests that uncertainty remains.

FAQs

How can I use "it appears suspicious" in a sentence?

You can use "it appears suspicious" when you want to express that something seems questionable or untrustworthy. For example, "The sudden increase in website traffic it appears suspicious".

What can I say instead of "it appears suspicious"?

You can use alternatives like "it seems questionable", "it looks doubtful", or "it raises red flags" depending on the context.

Is "it appears suspicious" formal or informal?

"It appears suspicious" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it may be more appropriate to use more direct language in highly formal settings.

What does "it appears suspicious" imply?

"It appears suspicious" implies that there are reasons to doubt the legitimacy or honesty of something, but without definitive proof. It suggests further investigation may be warranted.