it seems real

USAGE SUMMARY

"it seems real" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used when you want to emphasize that something is believable or convincing enough to be true. For example, "I know you're telling the truth―it seems real to me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

But it seems real enough.

The Economist

None of it seems real.

The New York Times

It's too soon to know for sure whether that's not random, but it seems real.

The New Yorker

If it seems real to them, then they'll believe every word.

The Guardian - Books

"On 'Law and Order,' what you're seeing isn't real, but it seems real.

The New York Times - Arts

Sometimes, it seems, real life does conform to the hackneyed logic of a feel-good Hollywood movie.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

It seemed real.

The Guardian

More strikingly, she made it seem real.

The New York Times - Arts

Make it seem real (which I guess, technically, it was?).

The New Yorker

"It took 40 years, and it seemed real," she said.

The New York Times

It just ended really publicly, it seemed real bad.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it seems real" when you want to convey a sense of authenticity or believability, but acknowledge that there might be underlying doubts or uncertainties. It is suitable for describing experiences, observations, or narratives.

Common error

While "it seems real" is versatile, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing where more precise and nuanced language might be preferable. Consider alternatives that offer a stronger assertion of truth or accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "it seems real" is as a subject complement. The phrase typically follows a linking verb ("seems") and describes or modifies the subject ("it"), indicating a perceived quality or state of being. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Books

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it seems real" serves to convey a subjective impression of authenticity, suggesting that something gives the appearance of being genuine even if doubts persist. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. It finds its most frequent use in neutral contexts such as news articles and general writing, balancing itself between formal precision and casual expression. While versatile, remember to lean towards more precise alternatives in highly formal writing. Considering related options can increase the effect you're hoping to achieve, such as the more forceful "it strikes one as authentic", or the more visual it looks convincing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it appears genuine

Changes the verb to "appears" and uses the adjective "genuine" to emphasize authenticity.

it feels authentic

Shifts the focus to a sensory experience, suggesting a feeling of authenticity.

it looks convincing

Focuses on the visual aspect and how persuasive something appears.

it comes across as believable

Highlights the impression created on others, focusing on believability.

it has the ring of truth

Uses a metaphorical expression to indicate that something sounds truthful.

it strikes one as authentic

Emphasizes a personal impression of authenticity.

it gives the impression of reality

Focuses on the overall impression of being real.

it presents itself as factual

Highlights how something is presented, with an emphasis on being factual.

it exudes realism

Emphasizes the quality of realism that something possesses.

it smacks of veracity

Uses a more forceful term "smacks" to convey a strong sense of truthfulness.

FAQs

What does "it seems real" mean?

The phrase "it seems real" indicates that something has the appearance or quality of being genuine or true, even if there might be some doubt or uncertainty. It suggests a sensory or emotional impression of reality.

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

You can use alternatives like "it appears genuine", "it feels authentic", or "it looks convincing" depending on the specific context.

How do I use "it seems real" in a sentence?

You can use "it seems real" to describe anything that gives an impression of being genuine. For example, "The emotion in her voice was so strong that "it seemed real""."

Is "it seems real" formal or informal?

The phrase "it seems real" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more precise language may be preferred in very formal writing.