seem incorrect

USAGE SUMMARY

"seem incorrect" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to express uncertainty or doubt about the accuracy or validity of something. Example: Despite my best efforts, my calculations still seem incorrect.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

One consideration: many of your ex-wife's assumptions about the pill seem incorrect.

The New York Times - Magazine

While this may seem incorrect, turning the bars in the opposite direction from the turn forces the bike to tilt slightly, while maintaining the proper speed allows it to stay upright.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

That seems incorrect to me.

The Guardian

Neither party would spell out exactly what seemed incorrect about the models.

The New York Times

In the first place, it seems incorrect to say that Kievan culture was destroyed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There have been reports that he was "tapped" by his father, who himself was a Bonesman, but that seems incorrect.

The New York Times

Given that the editor's code prohibits the publication of misleading and distorted information, this ruling seems incorrect and indefensible.

The Guardian

Dr. Stephen B. Goodwin, one of the biologists who discovered that the US-1 strain of blight now dominates the globe, said his theory of its being the cause of the Irish potato famine now seemed incorrect.

The New York Times

So it seems incorrect to say that (2) is something known.

SEP

As Tumblr finds and suspends these blogs, you may see that your Followers count seems incorrect for a period of time.

TechCrunch

Mach asks, "what constitutes a melody?" It seems incorrect to say that the actual sound vibrations constitute the melody as we have just seen that numerous different sounds can make the same melody.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "seem incorrect", clarify why you believe something is inaccurate. Providing context or evidence strengthens your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "seem incorrect" when you have definitive proof of error. In such cases, use stronger, more direct language like "is incorrect" or "is wrong".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seem incorrect" functions as a qualifying statement, expressing a tentative assessment about the accuracy of something. It's a way of indicating that something appears to be wrong or inaccurate, without making a definitive claim. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

25%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "seem incorrect" is a versatile expression used to convey a tentative assessment of inaccuracy. Grammatically correct and widely adopted, as verified by Ludwig, it functions as a qualifier, softening potentially critical statements. Usage spans across diverse contexts, from scientific discourse and news reporting to encyclopedic entries and wiki articles, highlighting its broad applicability. Ludwig's analysis confirms that "seem incorrect" is a neutral and effective way to express doubt or uncertainty, without making a definitive claim. Alternatives like "appear inaccurate" or "strike as incorrect" offer subtle variations in tone and emphasis, enriching the writer's toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seem to be inaccurate

More formal synonym of "seem incorrect".

appear inaccurate

Emphasizes a visual or superficial impression of inaccuracy.

appear to be wrong

Directly states the impression of something being wrong.

appear to be inaccurate

A more formal way of saying something looks inaccurate.

seem to be flawed

Highlights a defect or weakness in something.

appear dubious

Suggests the impression of doubtfulness or uncertainty.

appear fallacious

Emphasizes the misleading or deceptive nature of something.

appear unsound

Indicates a lack of solid foundation or reasoning.

strike as incorrect

Highlights a subjective impression of something being wrong.

feel wrong

Conveys a gut feeling or intuition about something being wrong.

FAQs

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

Use "seem incorrect" to express a tentative belief that something is not accurate. For example: "The data presented "seem incorrect" based on my analysis."

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

"Seem incorrect" suggests a possibility or impression of inaccuracy, while "is incorrect" states it as a fact. Use "seem incorrect" when you're not entirely sure. For example, the initial findings "seem incorrect", but more research is needed.

What are some alternatives to "seem incorrect"?

You can use alternatives like "appear inaccurate", "appear to be wrong", or "strike as incorrect" depending on the context.

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

"Seems incorrect" is appropriate when referring to a singular subject, while "seem incorrect" can be used in more general statements. For example: "The calculation "seems incorrect"", versus "These calculations "seem incorrect"".