make it seem that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make it seem that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something is being presented in a way that may not reflect reality or the truth. Example: "He tried to make it seem that he was busy, but in reality, he was just procrastinating."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The football is not actually moving more slowly, of course, but according to its practitioners, neuro-linguistic programming can make it seem that way.

WikiHow

Mr. Smith's pace is nearly intolerable, although he doesn't make it seem that way at all.

The New York Times

The worst that could happen would be for a mediocre "Watchman" to make it seem that "Mockingbird" was a fluke.

The New Yorker

Plotting unrelated data sets together can make it seem that changes in one variable are causing changes in the other.

Harvard Business Review

Some suggest that these hyperpartisan times just magnify their criticism and make it seem that much more pronounced.

The Washington Post

I also don't mean to make it seem that weight loss with diet is easy and exercise is hard.

The New York Times

That shouldn't be a close call, but the relentless promos for Louis-Dreyfus's new sitcom make it seem that way.

The New York Times - Sports

But by failing to launch a new round, governments have nevertheless allowed the WTO's opponents to make it seem that way.

The Economist

News about people being caught may make it seem that cheating is epidemic, but my sense is that chronic, blatant cheaters are now being caught and disqualified.

The Washington Post

This may make it seem that knowledge of a god is merely a bonus, a tangential consideration; on the contrary, it is the chief aim of the science.

SEP

All of this would make it seem that Reid would simply side with Berkeley and deny that there is any important difference between primary qualities and qualities like colors, sounds, tastes and smells.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make it seem that" to indicate a discrepancy between appearance and reality, but ensure the context provides enough information for the reader to understand the implied contrast.

Common error

Avoid using "make it seem that" without providing sufficient context. The phrase implies a contrast or deception, so ensure the reader understands what reality is being obscured.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make it seem that" functions as a manipulative device, framing a situation or action in a way that might not accurately reflect the truth. According to Ludwig, this expression is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

27%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make it seem that" is a versatile expression used to indicate that something is being presented in a manner that may not align with reality. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and high frequency across various contexts, especially in News & Media. When using this phrase, it's important to provide enough context to clarify the discrepancy between appearance and reality to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like ""give the impression that"" or ""create the illusion that"" can be used to convey similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. Be mindful not to overuse the phrase without a clear point of reference, ensuring your writing remains concise and impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give the impression that

Focuses on the impression created rather than the active making of it.

create the illusion that

Highlights the deceptive or unreal nature of the appearance.

suggest that

Implies a more subtle indication, rather than a direct creation of an appearance.

lead one to believe that

Emphasizes the effect on the perceiver's beliefs.

portray as if

Highlights the act of depicting something in a certain way.

give the idea that

Similar to 'give the impression' but focuses more on the conceptual aspect.

present as if

Focuses on the manner of presentation.

make one think that

Directly addresses the cognitive process of the observer.

appear to be

Describes how something outwardly presents itself.

masquerade as

Implies a deliberate attempt to conceal the true nature of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "make it seem that" to suggest something is presented in a way that differs from reality. For example, "He tried to "make it seem that" he was working hard, but he was actually browsing social media."

What are some alternatives to "make it seem that"?

Alternatives include "give the impression that", "create the illusion that", or "suggest that", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "make it seems that" instead of "make it seem that"?

No, the correct form is ""make it seem that"". The verb 'make' requires the base form of the verb 'seem'.

What is the difference between ""make it seem that"" and "make it clear that"?

"Make it seem that" implies a degree of deception or misrepresentation, while "make it clear that" means to communicate something explicitly and without ambiguity.