it would seem that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it would seem that" is a perfectly acceptable way of introducing a conclusion drawn from evidence in written English.
For example, "It would seem that the experiment results were inconclusive, as the results did not lead to a clear interpretation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It would seem that way, Hex.

The New York Times

Tolerance F.C.? It would seem that way.

The New York Times

Or, at least, it would seem that way.

The New York Times - Sports

"It would seem that Holden Caulfield is copyrighted," she said.

The New York Times

"It would seem that Holden Caulfield is copyrighted".

The New York Times

It would seem that CNN/ORC/Time is an outlier.

The Guardian - Opinion

It would seem that is not a total coincidence.

The Guardian - Sport

It would seem that Netanyahu has pulled off a threefer.

The New Yorker

It would seem that Americans are conflicted about that role, at least in this case.

The New York Times

It would seem that Sharron Angle is running for a House seat in Nevada.

The New York Times

It would seem that Query b solves this issue.

Journal of Cheminformatics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it would seem that" to introduce a conclusion that is based on observation or inference, but not necessarily a proven fact. It's useful for adding a touch of nuance to your statements.

Common error

Avoid using "it would seem that" excessively in your writing. Overuse can make your writing sound hesitant or less confident. Vary your sentence structure by using more direct statements when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it would seem that" functions as a hedging device and a discourse marker. It introduces a statement or conclusion that is based on observation or inference but is not presented as an absolute certainty. Ludwig examples confirm its function to introduce statements in a non-assertive manner.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

36%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it would seem that" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that serves to introduce a conclusion or opinion with a degree of tentativeness. According to Ludwig, its primary function is to hedge statements, making them less assertive. It is frequently found in news, media, and scientific contexts. While versatile, overuse should be avoided to maintain clarity and confidence in writing. Alternative phrases such as "it appears that" or "it seems that" offer similar meanings with slight variations in formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it appears that

This phrase is a more direct and slightly more formal way of saying something is evident.

it seems that

This is a simpler and more common alternative, lacking the conditional "would".

it would appear that

Similar in meaning, but emphasizes the visual aspect of the evidence.

one might conclude that

This suggests a logical deduction based on available information.

the evidence suggests that

This alternative highlights the evidence as the basis for the conclusion.

it is reasonable to assume that

This expresses a degree of uncertainty in the conclusion.

we can infer that

This suggests a more active process of drawing a conclusion.

as far as one can tell

This emphasizes the limitations of the available information.

based on the information available

This emphasizes that the conclusion is contingent on current knowledge.

it's likely that

This presents the conclusion as probable, but not certain.

FAQs

How can I use "it would seem that" in a sentence?

"It would seem that" introduces a conclusion drawn from evidence or observation. For example, "It would seem that the project is nearing completion, given the progress made this week."

What phrases are similar to "it would seem that"?

Alternatives include "it appears that", "it seems that", or "one might conclude that", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

When is it appropriate to use "it would seem that"?

Use "it would seem that" when you want to present a conclusion that is likely but not definitively proven. It's appropriate in both formal and informal contexts where a degree of tentativeness is desired.

Is "it would seem that" more formal than "it seems that"?

Yes, "it would seem that" is generally considered slightly more formal than "it seems that" due to the conditional "would", which adds a layer of politeness or hedging.