seem relevant

USAGE SUMMARY

"seem relevant" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe something that appears to be connected or applicable to a certain topic or issue. Example: The data presented in the study seem relevant to our research question and will be useful in supporting our argument.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Two points seem relevant.

The Guardian - Sport

My illness just didn't particularly seem relevant".

The New York Times - Health

It doesn't seem relevant to our lives".

The New York Times - Sports

None of this may seem relevant to younger generations.

The Guardian - Money

I'll share those if they come to seem relevant.

The Economist

The way you communicate, the venue, the whole offer has to seem relevant.

The Guardian

The phone call may not seem relevant to a doping case.

The New York Times - Sports

As a dancer, Mr. Woetzel has a particular genius for making historical ballets seem relevant.

The New York Times - Arts

By Sunday, we're so far back in the 90s that the bands start to seem relevant.

The Guardian - Music

"It was a peaceful protest, so immigration stuff didn't seem relevant".

The Guardian

That his comments came after a discussion of Walmart didn't seem relevant to me.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seem relevant" to connect ideas or details to a central topic, demonstrating their importance to the overall understanding. For instance, when presenting research, state how findings "seem relevant" to the initial research question.

Common error

Avoid using "seem relevant" as a filler phrase to make connections that are not genuinely clear or well-supported. Ensure that the relevance is evident and not just asserted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seem relevant" functions as a linking verb phrase, connecting a subject with an adjective that describes its apparent relationship or applicability to a particular context. It indicates a perceived connection rather than an absolute fact, aligning with Ludwig's examples that show diverse fields of use from news reporting to scientific discourse.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

47%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "seem relevant" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used to suggest a connection or applicability, without asserting absolute certainty. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and our analysis shows its prevalence across diverse contexts, particularly in news and scientific writing. When using this phrase, ensure that the relevance is clearly indicated, and avoid using it as a weak filler. Consider alternatives like "appear applicable" or "appear pertinent" for more formal settings. Its neutral tone and common usage make "seem relevant" a valuable tool for expressing nuanced relationships between ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appear applicable

Focuses on the applicability of something.

appear pertinent

Highlights the pertinence or direct relevance.

appear connected

Emphasizes a connection or relationship.

appear significant

Focuses on the importance or consequence.

appear related

Suggests a relationship but can be broader than direct relevance.

appear germane

Highlights relevance and suitability.

appear material

Emphasizes the importance to a case or decision.

seem appropriate

Focuses on suitability.

strike as relevant

Indicates a subjective feeling of relevance.

appear consequential

Emphasizes importance in terms of potential outcomes.

FAQs

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

Use "seem relevant" to indicate that something appears to be connected or applicable to a specific topic. For example, "The findings of the study "seem relevant" to our initial hypothesis".

What's a formal alternative to "seem relevant"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "appear applicable" or "appear pertinent" as alternatives to ""seem relevant"".

Is it correct to say "seems relevant"?

Yes, "seems relevant" is correct when referring to a singular subject. For example, "This information "seems relevant" to the discussion".

What is the difference between "seem relevant" and "is relevant"?

"Seem relevant" implies an appearance or initial impression of relevance, while "is relevant" asserts a confirmed state of relevance. Using ""seem relevant"" suggests more observation than absolute certainty.