it appears to have

USAGE SUMMARY

"it appears to have" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something seems to be true based on what has been seen or experienced. For example: Based on the evidence presented, it appears to have been an accident.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Now, however, it appears to have found its groove.

The New York Times

But it appears to have hit its stride once more.

The Guardian - Business

It appears to have cleaned its act.

Huffington Post

It appears to have maintained all four of its walls.

The New York Times

It appears to have rubbed off.

The Economist

It appears to have sound management.

The Economist

It appears to have stopped.

The Guardian - Film

It appears to have a humerus.

Yale University

It appears to have a creeping rhizome.

University of California, Berkeley

And now it appears to have gone.

The Guardian

It appears to have been parked.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it appears to have" when you want to present an observation or deduction without stating it as an absolute fact. This softens the statement, making it suitable for scenarios where you're inferring rather than directly confirming.

Common error

Avoid using "it appears to have" when you possess concrete evidence. If you have solid proof, state the fact directly rather than using this phrase, which implies uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it appears to have" functions as an evidential marker, softening claims and indicating that a statement is based on observation or inference rather than absolute certainty. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment that the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

21%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it appears to have" is a versatile phrase used to convey an observation or inference without asserting it as absolute truth. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely applicable. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to present information tentatively and objectively. When using this phrase, ensure that you are indeed inferring from evidence rather than stating a confirmed fact, and consider alternatives like "it seems to have" or "it suggests it has" to fine-tune your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it seems to have

Slightly less formal than "it appears to have".

it would seem to have

Adds a layer of speculation or deduction.

it suggests it has

Implies evidence points towards something.

it indicates it has

More assertive, implying a clearer sign.

evidence suggests it has

Explicitly highlights the role of evidence.

the indications are that it has

Formal and emphasizes multiple signs.

it gives the impression it has

Focuses on subjective perception.

one might conclude it has

Highlights the conclusion-drawing process.

ostensibly, it has

Suggests a surface-level appearance.

superficially, it has

Implies the appearance may be misleading.

FAQs

How can I use "it appears to have" in a sentence?

Use "it appears to have" to suggest something is likely true based on available evidence, but without definitive proof. For example, "It appears to have rained last night, judging by the wet streets."

What are some alternatives to "it appears to have"?

You can use alternatives like "it seems to have", "it would seem to have", or "it suggests it has" depending on the context.

Is "it appears to have" formal or informal?

"It appears to have" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts. While not overly informal, it maintains a level of professional objectivity.

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

"It appears to have" indicates an inference based on observation, whereas "it is clear that" suggests the information is definitively known and evident. Use the latter when you possess concrete evidence.