must seem

USAGE SUMMARY

'must seem' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are expressing a requirement or a logical inference. For example, "He must seem strange to her, since he dresses so differently."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

So it must seem.

The New York Times

"This must seem strange.

The New Yorker

I must seem arrogant.

The New York Times

This must seem inexplicable".

The Guardian

It must seem a strange scene.

The New Yorker

Wigan must seem a long way away.

The Guardian - Sport

It must seem very strange to them.

The Guardian - Film

To other countries, that must seem hypocritical.

The New York Times

It must seem like such fun.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Their anxieties must seem remote to India's elderly politicians.

The Economist

To win votes he must seem moderate, but to gain respect from the markets and Brussels he must seem severe.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "must seem" to express a logical inference or a strong likelihood based on available information. This phrase indicates a high degree of probability but acknowledges the possibility of a different reality.

Common error

Avoid using "must seem" when you have definitive proof or firsthand knowledge. The phrase implies an inference, so using it with concrete evidence can weaken your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must seem" functions as an epistemic modal, expressing a high degree of probability or logical inference based on available information. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a grammatically sound and usable phrase. Examples in Ludwig demonstrate its use in conveying how something is perceived.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "must seem" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to express a strong inference or likely impression. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in English. It is most frequently encountered in news and media contexts, indicating its suitability for conveying informed opinions. When using "must seem", remember to avoid overstating certainty and consider alternative phrases like "appears to be" or "seems to be" to fine-tune your meaning. The high frequency of this phrase in reputable sources underscores its importance in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seems to be

Similar in meaning, but may imply a slightly weaker degree of certainty.

would appear to be

Adds a layer of tentativeness or speculation.

comes across as

Describes how someone or something is perceived.

appears to be

Focuses on outward appearance or impression.

is perceived as

Highlights the way something is understood by others.

gives the impression of being

More descriptive, elaborating on the resulting impression.

is understood as

Focuses on the interpretation or understanding of something.

projects an image of

Emphasizes the conveyed image or persona.

conveys the feeling of

Highlights the emotional aspect of the impression.

suggests that

Implies a hint or indication, rather than a direct appearance.

FAQs

How can I use "must seem" in a sentence?

Use "must seem" when you want to express that something appears to be a certain way based on available evidence or logical deduction. For example, "This "must seem" strange to you, given your background."

What alternatives can I use instead of "must seem"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "seems to be", "appears to be", or "comes across as".

Is it correct to say "must be seem" instead of "must seem"?

No, "must be seem" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""must seem"", where 'must' is a modal verb and 'seem' is the main verb.

What is the difference between "must seem" and "must be"?

"Must seem" indicates an appearance or impression, while "must be" expresses a strong certainty or conclusion. For example, "He "must seem" intimidating" (he gives that impression) versus "He "must be" exhausted" (it's very likely he is exhausted).