made it seem

USAGE SUMMARY

"made it seem" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
It is used to express the idea of making something appear in a certain way. For example, "The teacher's harsh criticism made it seem like I had failed the test."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Its profile made it seem an inviting stage for breakaway attempts.

Wikipedia

He made it seem immutable and perfect.

The New Yorker

Enron made it seem like brilliant strategy.

The New Yorker

She made it seem correct.

The New Yorker

He made it seem so obvious.

The New York Times

More strikingly, she made it seem real.

The New York Times - Arts

Martinez only made it seem that way.

The New York Times - Sports

Third, social media made it seem normal to share everything.

The New York Times - Magazine

Certainly trailers for the show made it seem pretty funny.

The New York Times - Arts

The specificity of the accusation made it seem more believable.

The New York Times - Books

In the '70s, Pilobolus made it seem idyllic.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "made it seem" when you want to emphasize the creation of a specific appearance or impression, whether accurate or misleading.

Common error

Avoid consistently using "made it seem" in passive constructions, as it can make your writing sound weak. Instead, consider active voice alternatives for a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made it seem" functions as a verb phrase that introduces a subjective assessment or interpretation of a situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is used to convey that something gave a specific impression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Science

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "made it seem" is a versatile phrase used to describe the creation of an impression or appearance. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use. It's suitable for various contexts, primarily appearing in news and media. While grammatically sound, overuse in passive constructions should be avoided for stronger writing. Related phrases like "gave the impression that" or "suggested that" offer alternatives for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gave the impression that

Replaces "made it seem" by directly stating an impression was given.

left the impression that

Focuses on the lingering impression created.

created the illusion of

Focuses on the deceptive aspect of making something appear different from reality.

suggested that

Implies a less direct form of making something appear a certain way.

led one to believe

Highlights the effect on the observer's belief.

portrayed as

Emphasizes the act of depiction or representation.

presented as

Similar to 'portrayed as', but focuses on the manner of presentation.

gave the idea that

Indicates the conveying of a general idea or notion.

fostered the idea that

Highlights the active promotion or encouragement of a particular idea.

simulated the effect of

Implies a deliberate imitation to produce a specific effect.

FAQs

How can I use "made it seem" in a sentence?

You can use "made it seem" to indicate that something gave a particular impression. For example: "His confidence "made it seem" like he knew what he was doing."

What are some alternatives to "made it seem"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "gave the impression that", "suggested that", or "led one to believe".

Is it correct to say "made it seem like"?

Yes, "made it seem like" is a common and acceptable construction. For instance: "The dark clouds "made it seem" like it was going to rain."

What's the difference between "made it seem" and "made it look"?

"Made it seem" refers to creating a general impression, while "made it look" specifically relates to visual appearance. For example, "Her explanation "made it seem" plausible," versus "The lighting "made it look" dramatic."