seem eager

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seem eager" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who appears to be enthusiastic or keen about something. Example: "She seemed eager to start her new job and meet her colleagues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The latter seem eager.

The New York Times

Sunni commanders here seem eager to fight.

The New York Times

The statisticians seem eager to keep trying.

The Guardian

He does not seem eager for another.

The New York Times - Sports

None seem eager to offer troops.

The New York Times

Many schools do not seem eager to enlighten them.

The New York Times

Mr. Schepisi doesn't seem eager to let her go.

The New York Times

Discerning consumers seem eager to pay this lofty price.

The New York Times - Travel

Now they seem eager to take freedom's ride.

The New York Times

Still, the Republican candidates seem eager to escalate the fight.

The New York Times

The Andean countries seem eager to follow suit.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's reaction to a proposal or idea, use "seem eager" to effectively convey their positive initial response without implying absolute commitment. For instance, "They seem eager to explore this partnership further."

Common error

While "seem eager" is suitable for expressing general enthusiasm, avoid using it in contexts where stronger, more definitive language is necessary. Overusing the phrase might dilute the impact of genuine excitement or commitment. Use strong alternatives like "are thrilled" or "are passionate" instead of "seem eager" to be precise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seem eager" functions as a verb phrase indicating a perceived state of enthusiasm or willingness. It modifies a subject by attributing to them the appearance of eagerness. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "seem eager" is a commonly used verb phrase to express an observation or inference about someone's apparent enthusiasm or willingness. Ludwig AI confirms this. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, it maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse contexts. When using the phrase, consider stronger alternatives like "appear enthusiastic" for more direct statements, or "look forward to" when implying pleasure about a future action. It is grammatically sound and versatile, contributing effectively to nuanced descriptions of attitudes and dispositions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appear enthusiastic

Focuses more on outward appearance of enthusiasm rather than internal eagerness.

look forward to

Emphasizes anticipation and pleasure about a future event or experience.

be keen on

Indicates a strong interest or desire, with a slightly more informal tone.

show enthusiasm for

Highlights the display of enthusiasm, emphasizing outward expression.

exhibit eagerness

Focuses on the demonstration of eagerness, often in a more formal context.

be inclined to

Suggests a tendency or willingness to do something, often with a sense of preference.

express willingness

Emphasizes the communication of a readiness to do something.

demonstrate interest in

Highlights the act of showing interest, focusing on observable behavior.

be predisposed to

Implies a pre-existing inclination or tendency towards something.

give the impression of being eager

Focuses on the perception created, rather than the actual feeling of eagerness.

FAQs

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

You can use "seem eager" to describe someone who appears enthusiastic or willing. For example, "The students seem eager to learn about the new curriculum".

What are some alternatives to "seem eager"?

You can use alternatives like "appear enthusiastic", "be keen on", or "look forward to" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "seem eager" and "is eager"?

"Seem eager" implies an appearance or impression of eagerness, while "is eager" indicates a definite and confirmed state of eagerness. "Seem eager" suggests observation, while "is eager" suggests direct knowledge or assertion.

Which is more formal, "seem eager" or "appear enthusiastic"?

"Appear enthusiastic" and "seem eager" are fairly interchangeable in terms of formality. However, "appear enthusiastic" might be slightly more formal due to the word "enthusiastic", but the difference is minimal.