seem as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seem as" is not correct and not usable in written English.
Instead, you should use the phrase "seem as though" or "seem as if". For example, "The sky seemed as though it was about to rain."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Doctors seem as unhappy as patients.

The New York Times

OPPOSITES no longer seem as attractive.

The Economist

They seem as confused as I am.

The Economist

"It didn't seem as friendly".

The New York Times - Sports

"The city choice doesn't seem as important".

The New York Times - Sports

Anthony's way does not seem as far.

The New York Times - Sports

But they seem as big as planets".

The New York Times

They seem as numerous as all humanity.

The Guardian - Arts

Now, the outlook does not seem as clear.

The Economist

A houseplant might seem as commonplace as furniture.

The New York Times

People walking by on the street didn't seem as skinny.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for grammatical accuracy, replace "seem as" with "seem as though" or "seem as if" to ensure correct sentence structure.

Common error

Do not use "seem as" without completing the conjunction with "though" or "if". Incomplete conjunctions can lead to grammatically incorrect sentences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seem as" functions incorrectly as an incomplete conjunction. According to Ludwig AI, the correct usage requires completing the phrase with "though" or "if". Without these additions, it violates standard grammatical rules. Though used in many examples found by Ludwig, its grammatical structure is incomplete.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Wiki

16%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "seem as" appears relatively frequently across various sources, it is grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase requires completion with "though" or "if" to adhere to standard English grammar. Therefore, writers should opt for "seem as though" or "seem as if" for accurate and effective communication. Although it can be found in informal contexts such as social media and some news articles, its incorrectness makes it unsuitable for formal or academic writing. Always aim for grammatical precision to ensure clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seem as though

This alternative corrects the grammatical structure, providing a proper conjunction.

seem as if

Similar to "seem as though", this provides a grammatically correct alternative conjunction.

appear to be

Replaces "seem" with a synonym, offering a slightly more formal tone.

look like

Offers a more informal and visual sense of appearance.

give the impression of

Emphasizes the perceived impression rather than a direct observation.

strike one as

Indicates a subjective feeling or opinion.

be reminiscent of

Suggests a similarity or likeness to something else.

come across as

Highlights how someone or something is perceived by others.

have the appearance of

Focuses on the outward look or presentation.

present itself as

Emphasizes the way something portrays itself.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use the phrase to express a sense of appearance or impression?

The correct phrases are "seem as though" or "seem as if". The phrase "seem as" is grammatically incorrect.

What can I say instead of "seem as" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use "appear to be" or "give the impression of" instead of "seem as".

Which is correct, "seem as" or "seem like"?

Neither "seem as" nor "seem like" are grammatically ideal. Use "seem as though", "seem as if", or simply "seem" for better grammatical correctness. "Seem like" is more colloquial.

How can I use "seem as though" or "seem as if" in a sentence?

You can use "seem as though" or "seem as if" to introduce a clause that describes an appearance or impression. For example, "It seems as though it will rain" or "It seems as if he is tired".