it seems is

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it seems is" is not correct in written English.
It appears to be a fragment and lacks clarity or proper structure. Example: "It seems is a common phrase used to express uncertainty, but it needs to be rephrased for clarity."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Division, it seems, is rife.

The Economist

Neither, it seems, is Daddy.

The Economist

Uncertainty, it seems, is pervasive.

The Economist

So, it seems, is the Whitney.

The New York Times - Arts

Blood, it seems, is in the water.

The New York Times

But this, it seems, is not enough.

The Economist

The virus, it seems, is spreading.

The Economist

Fishing, it seems, is a touchy issue.

The New York Times

So, it seems, is Japanese manufacturing.

The New York Times

Juncker, it seems, is calling bluffs.

The Guardian

The battle, it seems, is on.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "it seems is" in formal writing. Instead, opt for grammatically correct alternatives such as "it seems that it is" or "it appears to be."

Common error

A common mistake is omitting the conjunction "that" after "it seems". Always ensure that a proper clause follows "it seems" to maintain grammatical accuracy. For example, use "it seems that it is" instead of the ungrammatical "it seems is".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it seems is" functions as an introductory expression intended to convey a sense of uncertainty or an apparent observation. However, as Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase is grammatically incorrect. To function properly, it requires the addition of "that" or a similar conjunction to introduce a clause.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it seems is" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing. Ludwig AI indicates that it lacks clarity and proper structure, which is supported by the analysis. While it appears in some news media contexts, it's best to use alternatives such as "it appears to be" or "it seems that it is" to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness. These alternatives more effectively convey the intended meaning of expressing uncertainty or an apparent observation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it seems that it is

This alternative adds "that" to create a grammatically correct clause, explicitly stating what appears to be true.

it appears to be

This substitutes "seems" with "appears", which has a similar meaning, and corrects the grammatical structure.

it would seem to be

This adds a modal verb to soften the statement and make it more tentative, while also being grammatically sound.

it looks like it is

This uses "looks like" as a more conversational alternative to "seems", while maintaining grammatical correctness.

it suggests that it is

This uses "suggests" to imply that there is evidence pointing towards something, while correcting the grammar.

it gives the impression that it is

This alternative is more descriptive, indicating that a particular feeling or idea is being conveyed.

the indication is that it is

This uses a more formal tone, focusing on the evidence or signs that something is the case.

the evidence suggests it is

This highlights the role of evidence in forming the conclusion, making it a more objective statement.

from all appearances it is

This emphasizes that the conclusion is based on outward observations and may not be definitive.

ostensibly, it is

This implies that something appears to be true but might be different upon closer examination.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use the phrase 'it seems'?

The phrase "it seems" should be followed by "that" and a clause, or by "like" and a noun phrase. For example, "it seems that it is" or "it seems like a good idea" are grammatically correct.

What can I say instead of "it seems is"?

Instead of "it seems is", you can use alternatives such as "it appears to be", "it seems that it is", or "it looks like it is", depending on the context.

Is "it seems is" grammatically correct?

No, "it seems is" is not grammatically correct. The correct usage requires a conjunction like "that" or a preposition like "like" to connect "it seems" to the rest of the sentence. Therefore, using phrases like "it seems that it is" or "it seems like" is preferred.

How do I avoid errors when using the phrase 'it seems'?

To avoid errors, always double-check that "it seems" is followed by a complete clause introduced by "that", or by "like" and a noun phrase. Review your sentences to ensure they are grammatically sound and convey your intended meaning clearly. For example, use "it seems that it is" rather than "it seems is".