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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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it seems working

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence 'it seems working' is not correct.
The correct phrase is 'it seems to be working'. It is usable in written English in any context where you are expressing that a situation appears to be producing a successful or favorable outcome. For example: "I was worried that the new software wouldn't work, but it seems to be working perfectly."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

But now, it seems, working women are indicating that they would like to keep their legs more or less to themselves.

She lived a bicoastal life, it seems, working in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest — running a bar, then a record store — but returning to New York often to visit and provide financial support for her widowed mother, who by now was raising Barbara.

News & Media

The New York Times

In any event, many more Britons are "posted" abroad in the EU (some, it seems, working for IREM) than Europeans are in Britain.There are political temptations to be more placatory: the white working class, the bedrock of Labour's electoral coalition, has grown estranged from the party over the past decade.

News & Media

The Economist

Among many of my friends I am often the only one who thinks dear Bono is actually doing something incredible during his days off (unlike those people lounging on sofas criticizing him for, it seems, working to alleviate world hunger and poverty) but I now prefer my live music served up sans manifesto de half baked.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Censorship, it seems, works both ways.

Lynch's tactics, it seems, worked all too well.

News & Media

The New York Times

Danger, it seems, works far better than lithium to raise the spirits.

News & Media

Independent

Fritz, it seems, worked for the theater, though no one's sure when.

Encyclopedias

Britannica

Serendipity, it seems, worked out better than the best laid plans.

News & Media

The New York Times

Playing direct, it seems, works best when you have a 6' 5" Canadian buzzing around.

The main obstacle, it seems, is working out how.

News & Media

The Economist
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the correct grammatical form, "it seems to be working", to ensure clarity and accuracy in your writing. Avoid the ungrammatical "it seems working".

Common error

A frequent mistake is dropping the "to be" after "seems" when referring to an ongoing action. Always remember to include "to be" to maintain grammatical correctness, such as in "it seems to be working".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

87%

Authority and reliability

2.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it seems working" is an incorrect grammatical construction attempting to describe an ongoing action or state. Ludwig AI highlights that the correct form is "it seems to be working", which functions as a hedge, indicating a tentative assessment.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it seems working" is grammatically incorrect. The correct and commonly used form is "it seems to be working". Ludwig AI confirms this, recommending the inclusion of "to be" for grammatical accuracy. While the phrase appears in contexts such as News & Media, its incorrect grammar limits its effectiveness and appropriateness in formal writing. Alternatives such as "it appears to be working" or "it seems effective" are preferable for clear and correct communication.

FAQs

How should I correctly use the phrase "it seems to be working"?

Use "it seems to be working" to indicate that something appears to be functioning as intended. For instance, "The new strategy seems to be working effectively".

What are some alternatives to saying "it seems to be working"?

You can use alternatives like "it appears to be working", "it seems effective", or "it is functioning well" depending on the context.

Is "it seems working" grammatically correct?

No, "it seems working" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "it seems to be working".

What's the difference between "it seems working" and "it seems to be working"?

"It seems working" is ungrammatical, while "it seems to be working" is the correct way to express that something appears to be functioning or progressing as expected. The addition of "to be" is essential for proper grammar.

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Source & Trust

87%

Authority and reliability

2.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: