it appears to work

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "it appears to work" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase when you want to express that something has been proven or tested and appears to be successful. For example, "We tested the new program, and it appears to work properly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

And it appears to work.

The Washington Post

It appears to work remarkably well.

The Washington Post

It looks like an incongruous mixture, but it appears to work.

The Economist

The notion sounds unworkable, but to my surprise it appears to work.

The Guardian

It appears to work in the United States and be accepted in Canada (a strong civil liberties jurisdiction).

The Guardian - Opinion

It is politics done like science, effectively – with Ben Goldacre's approval – and, in many cases, it appears to work.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

He has sought to reimagine the way a venture capital firm works from top to bottom, and so far, it appears to working quite spectacularly.

The New York Times

It appeared to work.

The New Yorker

And it appeared to work.

The Guardian

All they knew is they liked it and it appeared to work.

The Guardian - Tech

Whatever happened in the end, it appeared to work - and quickly.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it appears to work" when you want to convey a sense of observation or preliminary assessment rather than a definitive conclusion. This phrase is useful when you don't have all the data but have enough to suggest a positive outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "it appears to work" when you have concrete evidence of success. The phrase implies uncertainty, so if you have definitive proof, use stronger language such as "it has been proven to work."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it appears to work" functions as an evaluative statement. It conveys an assessment that something is likely functional or successful based on observation or available information. This is consistent with Ludwig AI's assessment of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it appears to work" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey a tentative assessment of functionality or success. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. Its neutral tone and common usage make it suitable for diverse forms of communication, particularly within News & Media and scientific discussions. When using the phrase, remember that it expresses observation rather than definitive proof, allowing for nuanced communication where certainty is not yet established. Consider alternatives like "it seems to be effective" or "it shows signs of success" for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it seems to be effective

Replaces "appears" with "seems" and "work" with "effective", focusing on the outcome's success.

it looks like it's working

Uses "looks like" to convey the impression of functionality and "it's working" to describe the action.

it gives the impression of working

Focuses on the impression or perception of something being functional.

it shows signs of success

Indicates that there is evidence suggesting a positive outcome.

it seems to be functioning correctly

Replaces "appears" with "seems" and emphasizes the correct operation of something.

it is seemingly effective

Uses "seemingly" to suggest that something is effective based on observation.

it has the look of success

Focuses on the visual indication of success.

it gives every indication of working

Emphasizes that there are strong signals suggesting that something is functional.

it holds promise

Suggests that something has the potential to be successful in the future.

it portends effectiveness

A more formal way of saying that something indicates future success or functionality.

FAQs

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

You can use "it appears to work" when you want to convey that something seems effective or successful based on available evidence. For example, "The new security system has been implemented, and "it appears to work" well so far."

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

Alternatives include phrases like "it seems to be effective", "it looks like it's working", or "it shows signs of success" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "it appears to work" in formal writing?

Yes, "it appears to work" is suitable for formal writing when you need to express an observation or preliminary assessment without definitive proof. However, consider using stronger language if you have concrete evidence.

What's the difference between "it appears to work" and "it is working"?

"It is working" implies a confirmed state of functionality, whereas "it appears to work" suggests a preliminary assessment based on observation. The former is more definitive, while the latter implies some level of uncertainty.