seem credible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seem credible" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is often used to describe something or someone that appears believable or trustworthy. Example: "The witness's testimony seemed credible to the jury, as it was supported by multiple pieces of evidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Authenticity: does it seem credible?7.

The Economist

But that does not seem credible.

The Economist

Love makes their seemingly thoughtless and callous behavior seem credible.

The New Yorker

What is it about the image that Schwarzenegger cultivated that made him seem credible to voters?

The New Yorker

"In the big scheme of things, those numbers don't seem credible," he said.

The New York Times - Science

We declined to publish accounts that either did not seem credible or could not be verified.

The New York Times

Yet the vote was sufficiently scattered to seem credible to Afghans.

The Economist

Dismissing the forecasting, based on one "failed" forecast in 2016, does not seem credible.

The Guardian - Opinion

The UK's Brexit secretary, Dominic Raab, said on Sunday that it did not seem credible.

The Guardian

When he took the Koster role, Mr. Waterston wondered if the character would seem credible.

The New York Times

He hitched the eternal to the everyday and made both seem credible.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seem credible" when you want to express that something gives the impression of being believable or trustworthy, without necessarily confirming its absolute truth.

Common error

In highly formal or academic writing, consider stronger alternatives like "is demonstrably true" or "is empirically supported" to convey a higher degree of certainty than "seem credible" implies.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seem credible" functions as a linking verb plus an adjective, expressing a subjective assessment of believability. Ludwig shows that this phrase connects a subject with the quality of being believable, indicating how something is perceived rather than asserting a definitive truth.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

12%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "seem credible" is a common and versatile way to express that something gives an impression of being believable or trustworthy. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and frequently used. While there are numerous alternatives, like "appear believable" or "sound plausible", the best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. When using "seem credible", be mindful of the context; in highly formal writing, stronger alternatives might be more appropriate. Common mistakes involve overusing the phrase when more decisive language is required. Ludwig's examples show that "seem credible" typically appears in neutral registers, particularly in news and media, while also appearing in scientific and academic contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appear believable

Focuses on the appearance of being believable rather than the inherent credibility.

sound plausible

Emphasizes the reasonableness of something upon hearing it.

ring true

Highlights the authenticity and genuineness of a statement or account.

hold water

Suggests that an argument or explanation is logically sound and consistent.

bear scrutiny

Indicates that something can withstand close examination without being disproven.

inspire confidence

Focuses on the effect of creating a feeling of trust and assurance.

gain credence

Highlights the process of becoming accepted as true or valid.

strike as authentic

Emphasizes the impression of genuineness and originality.

come across as genuine

Focuses on the perception of sincerity and honesty.

pass the test of credibility

Highlights that something successfully faces the challenge of proving its credibility.

FAQs

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

You can use "seem credible" to describe something that appears believable or trustworthy. For example, "The witness's testimony "seemed credible" to the jury."

What are some alternatives to saying "seem credible"?

Alternatives to "seem credible" include "appear believable", "sound plausible", or "ring true", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "is credible" or "seem credible"?

Saying "is credible" implies a stronger affirmation of truth than "seem credible". "Seem credible" suggests an impression of believability without necessarily confirming it as fact.

What does it mean for something to "pass the test of credibility"?

For something to "pass the test of credibility" means that it has successfully withstood scrutiny and has been deemed believable or trustworthy. Similar expressions include "bear scrutiny" or "gain credence".