it seem to work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it seem to work" is not correct in English.
It should be "it seems to work." You can use the corrected phrase when discussing the effectiveness or functionality of something. Example: "After testing the new software, it seems to work better than the previous version."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Why do current US political officeholders feel the need for such a transparent strategy, and why does it seem to work?

The Guardian - Opinion

It seem to work fine and this Instructable will guide you through how to make one.

TechCrunch

Now, I don't profess knowin' what he do," he says, "rumored a whole lot of talkin' and scribblin' and whatnot, but whatever it is, it seem to work.

Vice

Now, I don't profess knowin' what he do," he says, "rumoured a whole lot of talkin' and scribblin' and whatnot, but whatever it is, it seem to work.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

It seems to work.

The New York Times - Sports

Somehow it seemed to work.

The New York Times - Arts

Moreover, it seems to work.

The Economist

It seemed to work in our favour.

Independent

But it seemed to work quite well.

The Economist

And at first, it seemed to work.

The New York Times - Travel

For a while, it seemed to work.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the correct form "it seems to work". The third-person singular requires the -s ending on the verb "seem".

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "it seem to work". The correct form is "it seems to work" due to subject-verb agreement. Remember that in the present tense, the verb "seem" needs the -s when used with singular subjects like "it".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it seem to work" functions as a statement expressing an observation or assessment of something's apparent functionality or effectiveness. However, Ludwig AI points out that it is grammatically incorrect. It is often used to convey a tentative or provisional judgment.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "it seem to work" might appear in various online sources, including news articles, it is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI indicates that the correct form is "it seems to work". This phrase is used to express that something appears to be functioning as intended, although without absolute certainty. Therefore, it's best to use the corrected version, "it seems to work", or explore alternative expressions like "it appears to work" to ensure grammatical accuracy and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it appears to work

Replaces "seem" with "appears", providing a more grammatically sound alternative while maintaining a similar level of certainty.

it seems to be effective

Substitutes "work" with "be effective" for clarity; emphasizes the result or impact of something.

it looks like it works

Uses "looks like" to express an observation or impression of something functioning correctly.

it gives the impression of working

Highlights the subjective assessment that something is functional, even if the reality is unconfirmed.

it functions as intended

Emphasizes that something operates according to its design or expected functionality.

it operates successfully

Focuses on the successful operation of something.

it has the desired effect

Highlights that the intention of something is achieved, replacing "work" with "desired effect".

it proves to be effective

Emphasizes that something has been shown or demonstrated to function correctly.

it is apparently working

Adds "apparently" to indicate that the functionality is visible or outwardly obvious.

it is proving successful

Uses "proving successful" to focus on the ongoing achievement or favorable results of something.

FAQs

What's the correct way to say "it seem to work"?

The grammatically correct way to say it is "it seems to work". The verb "seem" needs to agree with the singular subject "it".

What does "it seems to work" mean?

The phrase "it seems to work" implies that something appears to be functioning correctly or achieving the desired result, based on current observation or evidence.

Are there other ways to express that something "seems to work"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "it appears to work", "it looks like it works", or "it seems to be effective" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "it seem to work" ever acceptable?

No, "it seem to work" is grammatically incorrect in standard English. The correct form is always "it seems to work".