it seems low

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it seems low" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means that something appears to be or is perceived as being a lower or lesser amount or value than expected. Example: "The price of the car seems low for such a high-end brand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It seems low cost when you are only making a couple we don't know how that will scale yet.

MIT Technology Review

So far it seems low.

Forbes

"It seems low to me," he said.

Los Angeles Times

Though it seems low, that rate is still 34 times higher than the current national average for an interest-bearing checking account, which is.06percentt.06percent

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Lately, it seems, low-budget filmmakers have turned their backs on this advice.

The New York Times

It seemed low, but it went lower.

Forbes

If that number seems low, it's because, in the nebulous world of "content marketing," the goal is not strictly to attract viewers.

The New Yorker

"Years from now we'll look back on it, and it will seem low tech.

The New York Times - Magazine

Now, you might argue that even if the current minimum wage seems low, raising it would cost jobs.

The New York Times

"Ours seems low key, it doesn't mean quite as much.

BBC

If that seems low, compare it to PayPal conversion rates that are reported to be a fraction of that.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it seems low", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being evaluated as low. Provide specific details or comparisons to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of just saying "The budget seems low", specify "The budget seems low compared to previous years' allocations".

Common error

Avoid using "it seems low" in isolation without providing a reference point or comparison. Saying "The participation rate seems low" is less effective than "The participation rate of 10% seems low compared to the expected 30%" because the latter gives a frame of reference to properly evaluate if the value is actually low.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it seems low" functions as an evaluative expression. It conveys a subjective assessment that something is less than expected or insufficient. Ludwig examples showcase the use of this phrase in contexts where a comparison or expectation is implied.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it seems low" is a subjective expression used to indicate that something is less than expected. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely used, particularly in News & Media and Science. While the phrase itself is neutral, context is important to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases offer a variety of alternatives depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Remembering to provide a clear reference point will ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it appears inadequate

Replaces "seems" with "appears" and "low" with "inadequate", emphasizing the insufficiency.

it feels insufficient

Shifts the perspective to a subjective feeling of insufficiency.

it strikes me as meager

Uses "strikes me" to denote a personal impression and "meager" to highlight the smallness or lack of substance.

it registers as minimal

Employs "registers" to suggest a formal assessment and "minimal" to indicate the lowest possible level.

it presents as deficient

Replaces "seems" with "presents" and "low" with "deficient", highlighting a lack or shortage.

it comes across as wanting

Uses "comes across" to describe an impression and "wanting" to signify a lack of something.

it suggests a scarcity

Indicates that something implies a shortage or limited amount.

it gives the impression of being scant

Highlights the impression of something being barely sufficient or inadequate.

it seems to be lacking

Focuses on the absence of something necessary or expected.

it looks to be trimmed down

Suggests a reduction or decrease in quantity or size.

FAQs

How can I use "it seems low" in a sentence?

Use "it seems low" to express that something is less or lower than expected. For instance, "The estimated cost "it seems low" for the amount of work involved".

What are some alternatives to "it seems low"?

You can use alternatives such as "it appears inadequate", "it feels insufficient", or "it strikes me as meager" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "it seems low" or "it is low"?

"It seems low" indicates an impression or subjective assessment, while "it is low" states a fact. Use "it seems low" when you're expressing an opinion rather than a definitive statement.

What's the difference between "it seems low" and "it seems too low"?

"It seems low" simply suggests that something is less than expected. "It seems too low" implies that it's inappropriately or unacceptably low, adding a stronger sense of concern or disapproval.