seem immense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seem immense" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that appears to be very large or significant, often in a subjective or emotional context. Example: "The challenges ahead seem immense, but we are determined to overcome them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The question can seem immense; it can also seem trivial.

The New York Times - Books

The task of dismantling Egypt's repressive security service may seem immense, but Middle East analyst Omar Ashour draws lessons from other once feared and hated secret services around the world.

BBC

Shannon Lee Simmons, the founder of the New School of Finance, told VICE that while the numbers seem immense, "market volatility is normal" and that "you should simply stick to your plans" in terms of investment.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

That seemed immense.

The New York Times

It seems immense, too big to disappear, and nearly crowds everything else from consciousness.

The New York Times - Travel

The toll on everyone seemed immense — the hardships, the uncertainty, the longing.

The New Yorker

At Graham today the gap between the choreography and the performers seems immense, and everyone seems to be trying desperately to bridge it.

The New York Times - Arts

"When the country's future seemed promising, his power seemed immense; when conditions deteriorated, he was abandoned even by his own supporters," said Mr. Coronil, the anthropologist.

The New York Times

At breakfast in the Grand Hotel, they utter such cries as "Christ, am I allergic to powdered eggs with a hair in 'em!" with a passion that seems immense even for such immense provocation.

The New Yorker

There were no fatalities in that incident.The photos from the scene of Monday's crash are truly amazing; the plane's nose and tail are pointing in opposite directions, and the damage seems immense.

The Economist

They seem, well, working-class (in the general mayhem of their lives, and the way their collective eye keeps sliding over to questions of livelihood), but because the Paley-narrator does not hang that sign around their necks, the world they live in seems immense and mutable.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seem immense" to describe challenges, tasks, or abstract concepts that appear significant or daunting at first glance. This adds a sense of scale and importance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "seem immense" in everyday conversations or when describing trivial matters. The phrase carries a weight and significance that is best reserved for more substantial subjects.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seem immense" functions as a descriptive expression, where "seem" acts as a linking verb connecting the subject to the adjective "immense". As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this indicates something appears to be extremely large or significant.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "seem immense" is a grammatically correct and usable expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, to describe something that appears to be extremely large or significant. While not overly frequent, it is found in various contexts, particularly news and media. It's important to use the phrase judiciously, reserving it for subjects that genuinely warrant a sense of scale and importance. Alternatives like "appear vast" or "feel overwhelming" may be more appropriate depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appear enormous

Focuses on size and magnitude, similar to "seem immense".

appear vast

Emphasizes the extent and scope of something, similar to "seem immense".

look massive

Highlights physical size and impact, mirroring the sense of "seem immense".

feel overwhelming

Shifts the focus to the emotional impact of something being immense.

strike as huge

Conveys a strong impression of something being very large.

appear boundless

Emphasizes the lack of limits or constraints, similar to "seem immense" in scope.

come across as substantial

Indicates a significant and noteworthy presence.

seem immeasurable

Suggests something is so large it cannot be quantified.

appear formidable

Highlights the challenging and imposing nature of something.

strike as monumental

Implies something is grand, significant, and unforgettable.

FAQs

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

You can use "seem immense" to describe something that appears large, significant, or overwhelming. For example: "The task of learning a new language can "seem immense" at first."

What's a good alternative to "seem immense"?

Alternatives include "appear vast", "look massive", or "feel overwhelming" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "seem immense"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Seem" is a linking verb, and "immense" is an adjective that describes the subject.

In what contexts is "seem immense" most appropriate?

It's most appropriate in contexts where you want to emphasize the apparent scale or impact of something, often implying a subjective assessment of its size or significance. News, academic and literary contexts are common.