seem reliable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seem reliable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing an impression or perception about the trustworthiness of a person, source, or piece of information. Example: "The data from the study seem reliable, as it was conducted by a reputable organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

They also seem reliable.

The Economist

Companies shifted their focus from the space business, which has thin profit margins and is subject to the capriciousness of politics, making even the commercial jet business seem reliable by comparison.

The New York Times

Those results seem reliable since they echo a CBS News poll (57% said torture could help prevent terrorist attacks) and also a Washington Post-ABC News poll (53% said the CIA's interrogation did "produce important information that could not have been obtained any other way").

The Guardian

Cumulative errors in the model water balance created uncertainty about the accuracy of the results, however, the general trends seem reliable.

Environmental Modelling & Software

We saw some numbers a day or two ago but the source didn't seem reliable — these seem a little more trustworthy.

TechCrunch

An artificial voice that sounds male, but uses female-sounding phrases, won't seem reliable to the human speaking to it.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The experts said his information seemed reliable and significant.

The New York Times

Despite these caveats, Miller reported that "experts said the information seemed reliable and significant".

The New Yorker

When Hamza first started working with him, Albright told me, his information seemed reliable.

The New Yorker

Still, slips and vagaries aside, there is a great deal of information here that generally seems reliable on its surface.

The New York Times - Books

Yet there is one record of a giant wave that, because of the method of measurement, seems reliable.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "seem reliable", ensure that you have a clear basis for your assessment. Mentioning the criteria or evidence supporting your judgment enhances the credibility of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "seem reliable" as a substitute for rigorous verification. Just because something appears reliable doesn't guarantee its accuracy or validity. Always seek corroborating evidence before drawing definitive conclusions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seem reliable" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe its perceived trustworthiness. As Ludwig AI points out, it expresses an impression of dependability based on available information.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "seem reliable" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adjective phrase to express an impression of trustworthiness. As indicated by Ludwig AI, its usage spans across various contexts, from scientific research to news reporting and even informal wikis. The phrase's frequency is categorized as common, with higher occurrence in Science and News & Media. When employing "seem reliable", it's crucial to ground your assessment in clear evidence, avoiding overstatements without proper verification. Related phrases like "appear trustworthy" or "look dependable" can be used depending on the desired tone and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appear trustworthy

Replaces "seem" with "appear" and "reliable" with "trustworthy", maintaining a similar level of formality and meaning.

look dependable

Substitutes "seem" with "look" and "reliable" with "dependable", offering a slightly more informal tone.

strike as credible

Replaces the entire phrase with a more formal and emphatic expression of believability.

come across as dependable

Uses a phrasal verb to convey the impression of reliability, adding a nuanced perspective.

inspire confidence

Shifts the focus to the effect on the observer, emphasizing the feeling of assurance.

hold up as valid

Suggests that something remains reliable even under scrutiny or testing.

carry weight

Indicates that information or a source is reliable enough to be influential or convincing.

bear scrutiny

Implies that something is reliable because it can withstand careful examination.

exude dependability

Emphasizes the outward appearance of reliability, suggesting an intrinsic quality.

project trustworthiness

Focuses on how reliability is communicated or perceived, rather than an inherent quality.

FAQs

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

You can use "seem reliable" to express an impression about the trustworthiness of something. For example, "The data from the study "seem reliable", as it was conducted by a reputable organization".

What are some alternatives to "seem reliable"?

Alternatives include "appear trustworthy", "look dependable", or "strike as credible", depending on the context and level of formality you want to convey.

Is it better to say "seems reliable" or "is reliable"?

"Seems reliable" indicates an impression based on available information, while "is reliable" suggests a confirmed fact. Use "seem reliable" when you want to express an opinion that something "appears trustworthy" but isn't definitively proven.

What does it mean when something "seems reliable"?

When something "seems reliable", it suggests that, based on available information or initial assessment, it "appears trustworthy" and likely to be accurate or dependable. However, further verification might still be needed.