it seemed that

USAGE SUMMARY

"it seemed that" is a grammatically correct phrase that is often used in written English.
You can use this phrase to introduce a conclusion or opinion that is based on observation or evidence. For example, "It seemed that the lack of resources had been causing problems for months, but the issue had been ignored until now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Maybe it seemed that way.

The New York Times

Or at least it seemed that way.

Independent

At least it seemed that way.

The New York Times - Sports

And it seemed that way, until this month.

The New York Times

Under Murray's relentless strokes, it seemed that way.

The New York Times

"It seemed that way anyway".

Los Angeles Times

Tell them "I'm sorry it seemed that way".

WikiHow

It seemed that "Ms.

The Washington Post

It seemed that both countries had won.

The Economist

It seemed that they hated being themselves".

The Economist

It seemed that the league was overreaching".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it seemed that", ensure the following clause provides specific details to support the impression being conveyed.

Common error

Avoid using "it seemed that" as a filler phrase without providing concrete evidence or observations. Ensure the statement is followed by specific details that justify the impression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it seemed that" functions as an introductory clause to express an impression, perception, or tentative conclusion. According to Ludwig, the phrase is commonly used to present observations or inferences based on available information, often indicating a degree of uncertainty or subjectivity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

19%

Science

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it seemed that" is a versatile phrase used to introduce an impression or conclusion based on observation. As Ludwig confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in News & Media, Academia, and Scientific contexts. While it's important to provide supporting evidence for the impression being conveyed, the phrase itself is a valuable tool for expressing tentative conclusions. Alternatives like "it appeared that" or "it suggested that" can be used to subtly shift the nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it appeared that

Replaces "seemed" with "appeared", emphasizing a visual impression.

it looked like

Uses a more informal verb "looked" to convey a visual impression.

it would appear that

Adds "would" for a slightly more tentative or polite tone.

it suggested that

Focuses on what was hinted, implied, or suggested.

it seemed as if

Uses the construction "as if" to express a resemblance or comparison.

it gave the impression that

Changes the structure to focus on the impression created.

one could infer that

Formal phrasing emphasizing the act of drawing a conclusion.

the indication was that

Highlights that there was an indicator for it.

as far as one could tell

Emphasizes the limit of one's knowledge or observation.

from what one could gather

Focuses on the process of collecting information.

FAQs

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

Use "it seemed that" to introduce an observation or impression. For example, "It seemed that he was tired" suggests the speaker observed signs of tiredness but isn't certain.

What are some alternatives to "it seemed that"?

Alternatives include "it appeared that", "it looked like", or "it suggested that". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "it seemed that" formal or informal?

"It seemed that" is generally considered neutral in register. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts without sounding out of place.

What's the difference between "it seemed that" and "it was clear that"?

"It seemed that" implies a degree of uncertainty or subjectivity based on observation. "It was clear that" suggests a higher degree of certainty and objectivity.