seem impressive

USAGE SUMMARY

"seem impressive" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when describing something that appears to be remarkable or noteworthy. For example: "The results of the experiment seem impressive." Alternative expressions include "appear impressive" and "look impressive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These targets seem impressive.

The New York Times

In agriculture especially, the cuts seem impressive.

The Economist

The alleged cabal's influence does not seem impressive.

The Washington Post

My wife walks past and says, "You seem impressive".

Independent

To the non-physician, this number might seem impressive.

The Washington Post

To some, the building may seem impressive simply because it soars 60 stories high.

The New York Times

Certainly, since the November 2016 election, many of the numbers seem impressive.

The New York Times

This may not seem impressive by present standards for full-size tube screens.

The New York Times - Arts

From afar they seem impressive and there is a continuous scurry of delegates arriving for meetings with impressive titles.

The Guardian - Opinion

But to put it bluntly, there is too much garbage among younger funds, even those whose returns seem impressive.

The New York Times

These are loans with limits of 10 or 20 at a time.The size of each catalogue may seem impressive until the surface is scratched.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seem impressive" when you want to express that something gives a notable or considerable positive impression, but you want to maintain a degree of objectivity or distance. It's suitable for describing achievements, features, or qualities.

Common error

Avoid using "seem impressive" as a substitute for genuine analysis or evaluation. While it acknowledges a positive initial impression, always follow up with specific details or reasons to support that impression. For instance, instead of just saying "The results seem impressive", specify what makes them so, such as "The results "seem impressive" due to a 20% increase in efficiency and a significant reduction in errors."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "seem impressive" is as a predicate adjective phrase. It typically follows a linking verb (such as "seem", "appear", or "look") to describe the subject. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Formal & Business

13%

Science

14%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "seem impressive" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, primarily used to convey an initial positive assessment or perception. Ludwig AI analysis shows that it's grammatically correct and very common across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While the phrase suggests a notable positive impression, it also implies the need for further evaluation. When using "seem impressive", follow up with specific details and reasoning to strengthen your assessment and avoid superficiality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make a strong impression

Focuses on the powerful impact something has.

seem extraordinary

Emphasizes deviation from ordinary.

appear remarkable

Emphasizes the outstanding nature of something.

come off as formidable

Describes something that inspires respect or awe due to its power or capabilities.

look striking

Focuses on the visually appealing or attention-grabbing aspect.

project a powerful image

Highlights the ability to create a strong and influential perception.

strike as significant

Highlights the importance or consequence of something.

come across as grand

Suggests a sense of scale or importance.

present as noteworthy

Highlights the quality of deserving attention.

register as exceptional

Implies that something is perceived as above average.

FAQs

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

You can use "seem impressive" to describe something that gives a notable or considerable positive impression. For example, "The candidate's qualifications "seem impressive" on paper, but we need to assess their practical skills."

What are some alternatives to "seem impressive"?

Alternatives include "appear remarkable", "look striking", or "make a strong impression", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "seems impressive" or "seem impressive"?

"Seem impressive" is generally used as part of a larger phrase. "Seems impressive" would be used when the subject is singular (e.g. "The project seems impressive"), while "seem impressive" would be used when the subject is plural or includes "I", "you", "we", or "they" (e.g. "The projects "seem impressive"").

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

"Seem impressive" suggests an initial assessment or perception, while "is impressive" asserts a more definitive judgment. Using ""seem impressive"" implies that further scrutiny or analysis might be necessary to confirm the impression. Using "is impressive" is a more confident, absolute statement.