it appears that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it appears that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to introduce a statement when the information is something that you have inferred from observation. Example: It appears that the cat has been sleeping all day.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Sometimes it appears that way.

The New York Times - Sports

Well, it appears that day is here.

Huffington Post

It appears that Smithfield agrees.

The New York Times

It appears that I'm wrong.

The New York Times

It appears that Morgan conceded.

The New York Times

It appears that history will repeat itself".

The New York Times - Books

Now it appears that Republicans agree.

The New York Times

It appears that some have been vaporised".

Independent

It appears that era has already arrived.

The New York Times

It appears that I am terrifically naïve.

The New Yorker

It appears that many Malaysians agree.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "it appears that" with adverbs like 'clearly', 'obviously', or 'strongly' to modulate the strength of your inference, aligning with the evidence at hand.

Common error

Avoid using "it appears that" when the conclusion is already evident and can be stated directly. Overusing it can make your writing seem hesitant or indirect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it appears that" functions as an epistemic phrase, signaling that the speaker is making an inference or drawing a conclusion based on available evidence. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and serves to express a degree of uncertainty or tentativeness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

20%

Science

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it appears that" is a versatile and grammatically correct construction used to introduce an inference or deduction based on available information. According to Ludwig AI, it is indeed suitable for use in written English to express observations with a degree of tentativeness. Its frequent use across News & Media, Academic, and Scientific contexts indicates its broad applicability and neutral tone. To enhance your writing, use it thoughtfully, avoiding overuse where direct statements are more appropriate. Remember that alternatives like "it seems that" and "it is evident that" can add nuance to your expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it seems that

Replaces "appears" with "seems", indicating a similar level of subjective assessment.

it would seem that

Adds a degree of formality and tentativeness to the observation.

it is evident that

Suggests a clearer, more obvious conclusion than "appears".

it is likely that

Focuses on the probability of something being true.

it can be inferred that

Emphasizes the process of drawing a conclusion from evidence.

one can gather that

Highlights the act of collecting information to form an understanding.

it is suggested that

Indicates that something is implied but not explicitly stated.

the evidence suggests

Shifts the focus to the evidence supporting the inference.

one might conclude that

Presents the statement as a possible conclusion.

as far as one can tell

Indicates a conclusion based on limited or incomplete information.

FAQs

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

"It appears that" is used to introduce a statement that seems to be true based on available evidence. For example, "It appears that the meeting has been postponed due to unforeseen circumstances".

What are some alternatives to "it appears that"?

Alternatives include "it seems that", "it would seem that", or "it is evident that", each conveying a slightly different nuance of inference or certainty.

Is "it appears that" formal or informal?

"It appears that" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, more precise language might be preferred.

What is the difference between "it appears that" and "it is clear that"?

"It appears that" suggests a conclusion based on observation or inference, whereas "it is clear that" indicates a conclusion that is obvious and requires little to no inference. The choice depends on the strength of the evidence.