seem not to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'seem not to' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is an idiomatic phrase that expresses an idea similar to 'appear not to'. For example, "The students seem not to have been prepared for the final exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The meetings seem not to have helped.

The New Yorker

You seem not to hear.

Columbia University

"They seem not to be".

The Guardian

So economic rules seem not to apply.

University of California, Berkeley

Results obtained seem not to have been reported previously.

Computers & Structures

Water-based sealants seem not to work.

The New York Times

The clock Will seem not to exist.

The Guardian - Books

I seem not to have slept.

The Guardian - Music

They seem not to be bad sports.

The New Yorker

But Russians seem not to agree.

The New York Times

Such events seem not to be due to mere chance.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seem not to" when you want to express that something does not appear to be the case based on available evidence. For clarity, ensure the subject and verb following "to" are clearly defined.

Common error

Avoid using "seem not to" in conjunction with another negative element in the sentence, as this can create a confusing double negative. For instance, instead of "It doesn't seem not to work", say "It doesn't seem to work".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seem not to" functions as a modal expression indicating a lack of apparent quality or characteristic. Ludwig AI indicates this is a correct and idiomatic phrase. It is used to express that something does not obviously exhibit a certain trait or behavior.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

31%

Academia

24%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "seem not to" is a grammatically sound way to express a lack of apparent quality or action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is an idiomatic phrase similar to "appear not to". It's commonly found in News & Media, Science, and Academic contexts. While correct, writers should be mindful of avoiding double negatives and ensuring clarity in their sentences. Alternatives like "appear not to" and "do not seem to" offer similar ways to express uncertainty or a lack of visible evidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appear not to

Replaces "seem" with "appear", providing a direct synonym with minimal change in meaning.

do not appear to

Emphasizes the lack of appearance through a more explicit negative construction.

do not seem to

Slightly alters the word order but maintains the same core meaning and negation.

suggest not to

Shifts from direct appearance to a suggestion, implying a weaker sense of evidence.

indicate not to

Focuses on indication rather than direct appearance, implying a more subtle revelation.

give no indication of

Expresses a complete lack of indication, further emphasizing the absence of evidence.

fail to appear

Highlights the failure of something to manifest or become evident.

evince no

A more formal alternative indicating a lack of demonstration or evidence.

does not show

Uses "show" instead of "seem" focusing on the lack of visible evidence.

look unlikely to

Expresses improbability based on current appearances, implying a negative outlook.

FAQs

What does "seem not to" mean?

The phrase "seem not to" indicates that something does not appear to be the case, based on available evidence or observation. It suggests a lack of apparent qualities or actions.

How can I use "seem not to" in a sentence?

You can use "seem not to" to express a lack of apparent quality or action. For example, "The students "seem not to care" about the upcoming exam" or "The results "seem not to be clear"."

What are some alternatives to "seem not to"?

Alternatives include "appear not to", "do not seem to", or "does not show", which all convey a similar meaning of something lacking a certain appearance or characteristic.

Is there a difference between "seem not to" and "doesn't seem to"?

While both phrases express a similar idea, "doesn't seem to" is more common in contemporary English. "Seem not to" can sometimes sound slightly more formal or archaic but is still grammatically correct.