it seemed true

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it seemed true" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a perception or belief about the validity of a statement or situation, often in a subjective context. Example: "At first, it seemed true that the project would be completed on time, but unforeseen delays arose."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

And it seemed true.

The New Yorker

And it seemed true in a way.

The New Yorker

It stung because it seemed true.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the more I explored, the more it seemed true.

The New York Times - Sports

That has long seemed true about Trump; last night, it seemed true of Cruz, too.

The New Yorker

The peril of such an occasion is that you feel prompted to applaud a work just because it seemed true to some aspect of Cunningham dance theater or to denigrate it solely because it didn't.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

It seemed truer to make this messier".

Vice

Almost all cop to being "war junkies" or "adrenaline junkies," and it seems true.

The New York Times

It seems true that, as Jean Genet put it, nous ne sortirons jamais de ce bordel".

The Guardian - Books

That rings a bell – but in the case of the climate report it seems true.

The Guardian

Awkwardly, for those who find this obnoxious, the research sometimes makes it seem true.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it seemed true" to convey a past perception or belief that may or may not still be valid. It's effective for describing shifts in understanding or acknowledging uncertainty.

Common error

Avoid using "it seemed true" when the truth of the matter has been definitively proven or disproven. Instead, clarify the current status of the information to prevent misleading the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it seemed true" functions as a clause starter followed by an adjective, describing a past perception or impression. It often introduces a statement that was believed to be factual at a certain time. As evidenced by Ludwig, this phrase sets the stage for further explanation or qualification.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it seemed true" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to indicate a past perception of truth. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and offers various real-world examples from reputable sources, predominantly in news and media. While the phrase is not overly common, it serves a valuable function in conveying a sense of past belief that may or may not hold true today. Remember to use it thoughtfully, considering the potential for shifts in understanding or validity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it appeared to be true

Focuses on appearance rather than a definite confirmation.

it was seemingly true

Uses "seemingly" to denote apparent but not necessarily actual truth.

it looked like it was true

Emphasizes the visual impression of truth.

it gave the impression of being true

Highlights the suggestive nature of the truth's appearance.

on the face of it, it was true

Implies an initial assessment that something is true, pending further investigation.

it had the ring of truth

Implies a quality of authenticity.

it bore all the hallmarks of truth

Suggests characteristic signs that indicate veracity.

it presented as true

Focuses on how something is presented or perceived.

it ostensibly held true

Suggests a surface-level truth that may not be deeply examined.

superficially, it seemed true

Explicitly states that the truth is only apparent on the surface.

FAQs

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

Use "it seemed true" to describe a situation where something appeared to be factual at a certain point in time. For example, "At first, "it seemed true" that the company was thriving, but later financial reports revealed a different story."

What's the difference between "it seemed true" and "it is true"?

"It is true" states a current fact, while ""it seemed true"" describes a past perception. The latter implies that the perception might no longer be accurate.

What are some alternatives to "it seemed true"?

Alternatives include "it appeared to be true", "it looked like it was true", or "it gave the impression of being true", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "it seemed true" formal or informal?

"It seemed true" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. The level of formality depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure.