seem suitable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seem suitable" is correct in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something appears to be appropriate, fitting, or acceptable. For example, "This outfit seems suitable for the occasion."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That doesn't seem suitable for kids, Mr. Jemas is told.

The New York Times

Since Mr Blair pushed for the post's creation in the first place, he might seem suitable.

The Economist

The best pairings, he said, are the ones that at first glance might not seem suitable.

The New York Times

Methodologies that did not seem suitable for these analytes are overviewed.

Science of The Total Environment

Thereby, AIS seem suitable to automatically detect forgeries in signature verification systems.

Expert Systems with Applications

Thus this system would seem suitable for clinical use in the analysis of posture.

Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics

It didn't seem suitable – I think I wanted to do an Andy McNab or Ian Rankin, or something like that.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

An additional year allows time for a broader program, or a more concentrated program, or whatever arrangement may seem suitable to the candidate, the adviser, and the department.

Stanford University

Abstract: Doppler searches for exoplanets are now tightly focused on the search for habitable rocky planets, largely because such worlds seem suitable for life that we might recognize.

Columbia University

"Some of the applications developed a few years ago now don't seem suitable for TV," concedes Jon Florsheim, head of interactive at Sky.

The Economist

Furthermore, current simplified methods seem suitable only for a limited range of N values and fines content, and may fail for general applications.

Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing options or choices, use "seem suitable" to suggest a preliminary assessment. For example: "Of the candidates, only two seem suitable for the position."

Common error

In highly formal contexts, consider stronger alternatives to "seem suitable" to convey greater certainty. Phrases like "are ideal" or "are perfectly aligned" can add impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seem suitable" functions as a qualifying adjective phrase, used to express a tentative assessment of appropriateness. It indicates that something appears to meet the requirements or expectations of a particular situation, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

29%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "seem suitable" is a versatile adjective phrase used to express a tentative assessment of appropriateness. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. It is commonly used in contexts such as science, news, and academia to suggest a preliminary judgment without definitive commitment. While "seem suitable" is generally appropriate, consider stronger alternatives in formal writing to convey greater certainty. Related phrases like ""appear appropriate"" or ""seem fitting"" can provide subtle variations in meaning and tone. Remember to use it judiciously, considering the level of formality and the need for definitive statements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seem fitting

Retains "seem" but replaces "suitable" with "fitting", offering a close synonym.

appear appropriate

Substitutes "seem" with "appear" and "suitable" with "appropriate", maintaining a formal tone.

seem acceptable

Replaces "suitable" with "acceptable", indicating a level of permissibility or agreement.

look fitting

Replaces "seem" with "look" and "suitable" with "fitting", offering a slightly less formal alternative.

appear to fit

Uses "appear" instead of "seem" and "fit" instead of "suitable", creating a more direct expression of compatibility.

seem qualified

Suggests possessing the necessary attributes or skills.

appear qualified

Shifts the meaning slightly to emphasize qualifications rather than general suitability.

look right

Uses a more informal phrasing, implying something feels correct or appropriate.

look adequate

Replaces "suitable" with "adequate", suggesting a basic level of acceptability.

appear promising

Changes the focus to potential and future prospects rather than current suitability.

FAQs

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

You can use "seem suitable" to express that something appears to be a good fit or appropriate for a particular purpose or situation. For instance, "This candidate "seems suitable" for the role because of their experience".

What are some alternatives to "seem suitable"?

Alternatives to "seem suitable" include "appear appropriate", "look fitting", or "seem fitting". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is there a difference between "seem suitable" and "is suitable"?

"Seem suitable" suggests a preliminary assessment based on available information, while "is suitable" implies a more definitive judgment. Using "seem suitable" indicates a degree of uncertainty or further evaluation may be needed.

When is it not appropriate to use "seem suitable"?

Avoid using "seem suitable" when you want to express absolute certainty or when providing a final, conclusive assessment. In such cases, opt for stronger phrases that convey greater confidence.