seem sluggish

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seem sluggish" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that appears to be slow or lacking energy. Example: "After a long day at work, I tend to seem sluggish during the evening hours."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

But all those graphics consume computer resources and may make the machine seem sluggish.

The New York Times - Tech

Since then, sites like Time Warner's TMZ and Yahoo's OMG have made the format of a half-hour evening show seem sluggish.

The New York Times

And if Europeans are lukewarm, America's Congress is even less enthusiastic.Viewed from the Balkans, western responses to the Kosovo crisis including last month's freeze on Yugoslav assets—seem sluggish compared with the rapid pace of events on the ground.

The Economist

True, the tempi could sometimes seem sluggish, but far more often this was to miss the point of a musical experience where all external trappings were deliberately dropped in the pursuit of one man's absolute artistic integrity.

The Guardian

All sides will benefit hugely if what is best in Europe, including its tolerant, liberal-democratic tradition, can finally come together with what is best in Turkey including the dynamism of a demographically young nation that makes Europe's heartland seem sluggish by comparison.But reaching that goal will require hard work and political courage.

The Economist

As WorldCom and Qwest, in particular, reported spectacular growth and gross profit margins -- as much as 62percentt at WorldCom and 70percentt at Qwest in recent years -- they made their peers seem sluggish and they may have compelled those companies to alter and even distort their strategies in an attempt to keep up.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Compared with Americans, Britons seemed sluggish.

The Economist

OVER all, the economic environment seems sluggish.

The New York Times

On Tuesday, the Huskies seemed sluggish again, especially early on.

The New York Times - Sports

When she returned, she seemed sluggish and unhappy.

The New York Times - Arts

Grossmann's argument seemed reasonable: my mother had testified that Rew seemed sluggish that morning.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process or system, use "seem sluggish" to indicate a perceived lack of efficiency or speed, rather than an objective measurement. This is especially useful when contrasting it with previous performance or other systems.

Common error

Avoid using "seem sluggish" excessively in formal reports where precise data is expected. Instead, provide quantitative metrics to support claims of slow performance. For example, instead of saying "the system seemed sluggish", specify the reduced processing speed or increased latency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seem sluggish" functions as a descriptive expression, typically used to convey an impression of reduced activity, performance, or energy. It implies a subjective assessment rather than an objective measurement, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "seem sluggish" is a grammatically sound and usable expression in English, indicating a perceived slowness or lack of energy. Ludwig AI confirms this. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts and serves to describe a subjective impression rather than a concrete measurement. While alternatives like ""appear lethargic"" and ""look slow-moving"" exist, "seem sluggish" offers a specific nuance of observation. When writing, avoid overusing it in formal reports where quantifiable data is preferred.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appear lethargic

Replaces "sluggish" with a synonym that describes a lack of energy or enthusiasm.

look slow-moving

Focuses on the visual impression of reduced speed or activity.

feel unresponsive

Emphasizes a lack of reaction or feedback.

behave listlessly

Highlights a lack of interest or energy in behavior.

act inactively

A more formal way of describing a lack of action or movement.

give the impression of being slow

Specifies that the sluggishness is an impression rather than a definite fact.

present a picture of inactivity

A more descriptive and formal way of saying something appears sluggish.

come across as torpid

Uses "torpid", a more sophisticated synonym for sluggish, to convey the same meaning.

have the appearance of being slow

Similar to "give the impression", but slightly more formal.

strike one as inactive

Emphasizes the impact on the observer, noting that something seems inactive.

FAQs

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

You can use "seem sluggish" to describe something that appears to be slow or lacking energy. For example: "After the update, the application "seemed sluggish"."

What are some alternatives to "seem sluggish"?

Alternatives include "appear lethargic", "look slow-moving", or "feel unresponsive", depending on the specific context.

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

Use "seems sluggish" when expressing an observation or impression. Use "is sluggish" when stating a fact supported by evidence or data. The former indicates a subjective assessment, while the latter implies an objective truth.

Can "seem sluggish" be used to describe a person?

Yes, "seem sluggish" can describe a person who appears tired or lacking energy. For instance: "After a sleepless night, he "seemed sluggish" during the morning meeting."