it seems relatively

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it seems relatively" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a perception or opinion that something appears to be moderate or not extreme in comparison to something else. Example: "It seems relatively easy to solve this problem compared to the last one we tackled."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Otherwise, it seems relatively quiet.

The Guardian

GOOD PEOPLE And, it seems, relatively ordinary people as well.

The New York Times

But in New York City, it seems, relatively few children have heeded the call.

The New York Times

It seems relatively simple: be clear, upfront and tell consumers what to expect.

The Guardian

Cerezyme is so entrenched in a small market that it seems relatively immune from competition.

The New York Times

MB A As far as the rate of 5% on your mother's proposed lifetime mortgage goes, it seems relatively reasonable.

The Guardian - Money

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

There was no discussion; it seemed relatively minor".

The New Yorker

"It seemed relatively risk-free in terms of the normal risks you run in talking to a reporter".

The New York Times

Other new SNP MPs were making plans to hold their own victory parties throughout Glasgow over the weekend, but, it seemed, relatively quiet ones.

The Guardian

She knew I had a long-term partner and I was uncomfortable about her advances but it seemed relatively harmless to begin with.

The Guardian - Money

Iraq may have been the catalyst for the new mood of rebellion on the Labour benches, but it was Mr Duncan Smith who made it seem relatively risk-free.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, consider the context and choose adjectives that accurately reflect the degree to which something 'seems' to be a certain way (e.g., "it seems relatively simple," "it seems relatively safe").

Common error

While "it seems relatively" is acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound hesitant or lacking confidence. In formal contexts, consider stronger, more direct statements when appropriate to convey authority and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it seems relatively" functions as an epistemic phrase, indicating the speaker's assessment or degree of certainty about a statement. It softens the claim, suggesting a perception rather than an absolute assertion. Examples in Ludwig show its use across various domains.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

32%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it seems relatively" is a commonly used phrase to express a moderate or qualified opinion. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and appropriateness across various contexts. It serves to soften claims and convey a sense of objectivity. While useful, avoid overuse in formal writing and consider stronger statements when appropriate. The phrase is prevalent in news and media, scientific articles, and general web content.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it appears somewhat

Replaces "seems" with "appears" and "relatively" with "somewhat", indicating a slightly more formal tone.

it looks fairly

Substitutes "seems" with "looks" and "relatively" with "fairly", suggesting a more observational assessment.

it feels rather

Changes "seems" to "feels" and "relatively" to "rather", implying a more subjective or intuitive sense.

it sounds reasonably

Replaces "seems" with "sounds" and "relatively" with "reasonably", appropriate when the assessment is based on information heard.

it strikes me as quite

Offers a more personal perspective, emphasizing the speaker's impression.

it gives the impression of being somewhat

Presents a more descriptive and elaborate way of expressing a similar idea.

it has the appearance of being fairly

Similar to the previous one, but slightly more formal and descriptive.

it is perceived as reasonably

Focuses on how something is generally understood or viewed.

it comes across as somewhat

Indicates how something is being presented or understood by others.

it suggests a level of being fairly

Hints at something without stating it directly, leaving room for interpretation.

FAQs

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

Use "it seems relatively" to express an opinion that something is moderately true or apparent. For example, "It seems relatively easy to understand the concept after the explanation."

What phrases are similar to "it seems relatively"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it appears somewhat", "it looks fairly", or "it feels rather", all of which convey a similar sense of moderate likelihood or appearance.

Is it better to use "it seems relatively" or "it is relatively"?

"It seems relatively" expresses an opinion or perception, whereas "it is relatively" states something as a more definite fact. Choose the phrase that best reflects the level of certainty you wish to convey.

What is the difference between "it seems relatively" and "it seemed relatively"?

"It seems relatively" refers to the present, while "it seemed relatively" refers to the past. Use the appropriate tense depending on when the observation was made.