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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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it doesn't appear to be

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It doesn't appear to be working.

News & Media

The Economist

It doesn't appear to be.

News & Media

The Guardian

"Still, it doesn't appear to be enough".

But it doesn't appear to be happening.

News & Media

The New Yorker

But it doesn't appear to be suspicious".

News & Media

The New York Times

"It doesn't appear to be anything other than equipment failure".

News & Media

The New York Times

However it doesn't appear to be too bad.

"So far, it doesn't appear to be helping them much".

News & Media

The New York Times

So far, it doesn't appear to be that way.

It doesn't appear to be possible to do this online.

It doesn't appear to be influenced by capital levels in any systematic way.

News & Media

The Economist
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it doesn't appear to be" to express a cautious observation or conclusion based on available information, rather than a definitive statement.

Common error

Avoid using "it doesn't appear to be" when you have concrete evidence to support a stronger, more definitive statement. Reserve it for situations where uncertainty remains.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

88%

Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it doesn't appear to be" functions as an epistemic hedge, softening a statement and indicating uncertainty or a lack of definitive evidence. Ludwig examples showcase its use in contexts where a conclusion is tentative.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it doesn't appear to be" is a versatile phrase used to express a tentative conclusion or observation. Ludwig's analysis reveals it is most common in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business contexts. While grammatically sound and widely accepted, it is best used when definitive evidence is lacking and a cautious statement is warranted. For scenarios requiring more formality, consider alternatives like "it is not evident that". Overall, the phrase serves as a useful tool for conveying uncertainty or a qualified assessment.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it doesn't appear to be"?

You can use alternatives like "it doesn't seem to be", "it seems unlikely to be", or "there is no evidence that" depending on the context.

Is "it doesn't appear to be" formal or informal?

"It doesn't appear to be" is generally considered neutral in tone, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "it is not evident that" may be preferred in academic or professional writing.

When is it appropriate to use "it doesn't appear to be"?

Use "it doesn't appear to be" when you want to express a tentative conclusion based on observation or available information, but without making a definitive statement. It's useful when you lack conclusive proof.

What's the difference between "it doesn't appear to be" and "it doesn't seem to be"?

The phrases "it doesn't appear to be" and "it doesn't seem to be" are largely interchangeable and have very similar meanings. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference or stylistic variation.

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Source & Trust

88%

Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: