seem to be determined

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seem to be determined" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing someone's apparent resolve or commitment to a particular goal or outcome. Example: "Despite the challenges ahead, she seems to be determined to succeed in her career."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

They seem to be determined not to be seen to be influenced by him.

Independent

You seem to be determined to put people in their context and give a new interpretation of that history.

The Guardian - Film

One of the lessons of the 21st century is that people seem to be determined not to learn the lessons of the 20th century.

The Guardian - Opinion

This year Iraqis, especially those in Baghdad, seem to be determined not to be left out of the festivities despite all the dangers.

The New York Times

"Right now you do see that the European Central Bank and the Europeans seem to be determined to stanch the contagion," she said.

The New York Times

Even if e-commerce grows to dominate the retail sector, price stickiness is unlikely to disappear because it does not seem to be determined exclusively by search costs and/or physical costs of changing a price sticker.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

They still seem to be determining the best route to go with the power forward position.

The New York Times

Thus, the combination of number of members, size and polymorphism seem to be determining characteristics for multifractality changes.

BMC Genomics

The New Yorker, October 2, 1926 P. 17 Florida seems to be determined not to be downed.

The New Yorker

Instead, the Congressional leadership seems to be determined to pursue the opposite course.

The New York Times

The style seems to be determined by the requirements of the job.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seem to be determined" when you want to express an observation or perception about someone's apparent resolve, without stating it as a definite fact. This allows for a nuanced expression of intent.

Common error

Avoid using "seem to be determined" when you have concrete evidence of someone's intentions. In such cases, a more direct statement like "is determined" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seem to be determined" functions as a qualifier, expressing an observation or impression rather than a definitive statement. As Ludwig AI illustrates, it's often used to describe someone's apparent commitment or resolve based on available evidence, without stating it as a confirmed fact.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "seem to be determined" is a common and grammatically correct way to express an observed inclination or resolve, without making a definitive statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase can be used to convey an apparent intent. It appears frequently in news, science, and academic contexts. When writing, be mindful of overstating certainty and use more direct language if there is definitive evidence. Alternatives such as "appear to be resolved" or "appear to be intent on" can offer subtle differences in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seem to be resolved to

Replaces "determined" with "resolved to", emphasizing a firm decision with a shift in the structure.

seemingly resolved to

Adverb describing the resolution. The subtle difference relies on description of the status

appear to be resolved

Replaces "seem" with "appear" and "determined" with "resolved", slightly changing the nuance to emphasize a settled decision.

appear to be intent on

Substitutes "determined" with "intent on", focusing on the purpose or goal someone has in mind.

appear to be set on

Replaces "determined" with "set on", indicating a firm decision with a slight shift in formality.

seem to be inclined to

Changes "determined" to "inclined to", suggesting a tendency rather than a firm decision.

appear to be predisposed to

Indicates a prior tendency or inclination, adding a layer of pre-existing influence.

appear to be predisposed for

It indicates a prior tendency or inclination, adding a layer of pre-existing influence.

appear to be strongly motivated to

Changes "determined" to "strongly motivated to", highlighting the underlying motivation driving the decision.

appear to be hell-bent on

A more emphatic and informal way of saying someone is determined.

FAQs

How can I use "seem to be determined" in a sentence?

You can use "seem to be determined" to describe someone's apparent resolve or commitment, like in the sentence "Despite the challenges, she "seem to be determined" to succeed".

What are some alternatives to "seem to be determined"?

Alternatives include phrases like "appear to be resolved", "appear to be intent on", or "appear to be set on", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "seem to be determined" and "is determined"?

"Seem to be determined" suggests an observation or perception, while "is determined" states a definite fact or confirmed intention. The former implies less certainty.

Is it correct to say "seems to be determined" instead of "seem to be determined"?

The choice between "seem" and "seems" depends on the subject. Use "seem" with plural subjects (e.g., "They seem to be determined") and "seems" with singular subjects (e.g., "He seems to be determined").