it seems not

USAGE SUMMARY

"it seems not" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase to suggest that something is unlikely to be true. For example: "I thought I had seen her yesterday, but it seems not."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

No, it seems not.

The Guardian

But it seems not.

The Economist

It seems not.

The New York Times - Arts

Well, it seems not.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

For now, it seems, not much.

The New York Times

But it seems not to matter.

The Economist

It seems not everyone was forthcoming.

The New York Times

Often it seems not as another poster said.

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

It seemed not.

The Economist

It seemed not only extraneous, but decadent.

The Guardian - Opinion

It seemed not just polite but necessary.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, consider stronger alternatives like "evidence suggests otherwise" for greater impact and clarity.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "it seems not" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for more colloquial alternatives such as "apparently not" or "doesn't seem like it" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it seems not" functions as a qualifying statement, often used to express a contrary opinion or observation. It provides a polite yet firm way to indicate that something is unlikely or untrue. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

34%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it seems not" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to express doubt or gentle contradiction. While it is acceptable in various contexts, it leans towards a neutral register. As Ludwig AI indicates, its usage is common across news, scientific, and academic sources, providing a subtle way to express disagreement or present an alternative viewpoint. While the expression is valid, it is important to consider less formal options, such as "apparently not", when dealing with informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it appears not

Substitutes "seems" with "appears", offering a similar nuance of something's perceived state.

it would seem not

Adds a conditional aspect, implying something isn't the case based on current information.

it does not seem so

Reverses the structure for emphasis, conveying that something doesn't align with expectations.

it suggests otherwise

Implies that evidence points to a different conclusion than initially believed.

it indicates not

Replaces "seems" with "indicates", which gives it a more factual tone.

it implies not

Replaces "seems" with "implies", which infers that something is not explicitly stated but suggested.

apparently not

Conveys that something is not the case based on the available evidence.

ostensibly not

Implies that something may appear to be the case, but isn't actually so.

on the face of it, no

This phrase is more emphatic, and it asserts that there isn't enough evidence.

as far as one can tell, not

Indicates a cautious assessment, suggesting something isn't the case based on current understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "it seems not" in a sentence?

You can use "it seems not" to express that something is likely untrue or not the case, often in response to a previous statement or assumption. For example, "I thought I locked the door, but it seems not."

What phrases are similar to "it seems not"?

Alternatives to "it seems not" include "it appears not", "apparently not", or "it does not seem so". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.

Is "it seems not" formal or informal?

"It seems not" is generally considered relatively formal. In informal settings, phrases like "doesn't seem like it" or "apparently not" might be more appropriate.

Is there a difference between "it seems not" and "it does not seem to"?

"It seems not" is a more concise and slightly more formal way of saying something similar to "it does not seem to be the case". The choice depends on the desired level of formality and the overall flow of the sentence.