it seemed only fitting that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it seemed only fitting that" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to introduce a statement or action that is considered appropriate or suitable in a particular situation. Example: After years of dedicated service, it seemed only fitting that John was promoted to a higher position within the company.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

It seemed only fitting that I should order a Jawbox with my dinner – butternut squash gnocchi.

The Guardian - Travel

The two had a brief, awkward reunion, and it seemed only fitting that it took place in a museum.

The New York Times - Arts

Therefore, it seemed only fitting that our mother-daughter trip last month should be to my old stomping, or rather swimming, grounds.

The New York Times - Travel

So it seemed only fitting that Gary Beckett, the man she eventually married, seemed to sail in and out (sometimes literally) of Ms. Rudeen's life.

The New York Times - Style

It seemed only fitting that on another crazy Saturday in college football, the team known for its offense could not score and the kicker known for what he had missed made the attempt that won.

The New York Times - Sports

— On another night of reunions, some awkward and some heartfelt, it seemed only fitting that Boris Diaw figured in just about every critical play Tuesday night as the Knicks and the Charlotte Bobcats dueled to the wire.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Levy made waves last year with Swimming Home, a novel praised for its honed economy, so it seems only fitting that she follows her tour-de-force with this selection of her pared-down short fiction.

The Guardian - Books

So it seems only fitting that land itself — and in particular its custodianship — played such a prominent part in the just-concluded Telluride Film Festival.

Los Angeles Times

It seems only fitting that it should now return the favour.

The Economist

So it seems only fitting that were Trump to be trolled by a prominent villain, it would be the Joker.

The Washington Post

It seems only fitting that you should have a global superstar act like Jay-Z on the show.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it seemed only fitting that", ensure the connection between the initial situation and the resulting action is clear to the reader. Provide sufficient context to justify the sense of appropriateness.

Common error

Avoid using "it seemed only fitting that" when the connection between events is weak or non-existent. Overusing it can make your writing sound contrived or illogical. Ensure there's a genuine sense of appropriateness before deploying the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it seemed only fitting that" functions as an introductory clause that sets the stage for a statement, indicating that what follows is an appropriate or logical consequence of the preceding context. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it seemed only fitting that" is a grammatically correct phrase used to introduce a statement that is appropriate or logically consistent with prior events. Ludwig AI analysis reveals it is categorized as a phrase with a neutral register, commonly found in news and media sources. This phrase emphasizes the natural or expected consequence of a situation. Consider alternatives like "it appeared appropriate that" or "it felt natural that" for subtle variations in tone. Use this phrase when you want to convey a sense of inevitability or appropriateness in your writing, ensuring the connection between events is clear and logical.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it appeared appropriate that

Replaces "seemed only fitting" with "appeared appropriate" which changes the tone to a more formal and objective assessment of the situation.

it stood to reason that

Highlights the logical connection between the circumstances and the outcome.

it felt natural that

Substitutes "seemed only fitting" with "felt natural", suggesting an intuitive sense of rightness or inevitability.

it was logically consistent that

Focuses on the logical coherence of the situation, highlighting the alignment of events with expectations.

it followed as a matter of course that

Suggests the outcome was a natural and expected consequence of the preceding events.

it was but right that

Replaces the original phrase with a slightly archaic construction, emphasizing the moral correctness or justice of the situation.

it was congruous that

Implies harmony or agreement between the situation and the resulting action or event.

it was to be expected that

Focuses on the predictability of the outcome rather than its appropriateness.

it aligned perfectly that

Underscores the harmonious relationship between different events or circumstances, suggesting they complemented each other.

it was all but inevitable that

Emphasizes the certainty of the outcome, suggesting that it was virtually unavoidable.

FAQs

How can I use "it seemed only fitting that" in a sentence?

Use "it seemed only fitting that" to introduce an action or consequence that is appropriate or expected given the preceding situation. For example, "After years of dedicated service, it seemed only fitting that she was promoted".

What does "it seemed only fitting that" mean?

It implies that a particular action, event, or outcome was appropriate, logical, or expected based on the circumstances. It suggests a sense of rightness or inevitability.

What are some alternatives to "it seemed only fitting that"?

Alternatives include "it appeared appropriate that", "it felt natural that", or "it was to be expected that", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it seemed only fitting that" formal or informal?

The phrase is relatively neutral and suitable for both formal and informal writing contexts. It's commonly found in news articles, books, and general prose.