seem to be progressing

USAGE SUMMARY

"seem to be progressing" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to express the idea that something is appearing to make progress or develop in a certain direction, but it may not be confirmed or certain. Example: The negotiations between the two parties seem to be progressing positively, but there are still some unresolved issues that could potentially hinder the final agreement.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Preparations seem to be progressing unsettlingly well.

Independent

COMPARED with other modes of transport, train technology might seem to be progressing as slowly as a suburban commuter service rattling its way from one station to another.

The Economist

Utilities are still in the larval stage of similar change and though things might occasionally seem to be progressing at a glacial pace, "in time," Mr. Boyd said, "it will be power to the people".

The New York Times

But even after China went ahead with its plan to construct more than half a dozen dams that India says would affect the flow of water downstream into its own territory, the plan to link Indian rivers by 2016 does not seem to be progressing easily, with both economists and environmentalists now believing the project is unfeasible.

The Guardian

A dedicated Olympic bus lane, the BRT, will alleviate some of the problems and in that area at least work does seem to be progressing.

BBC

Monetization for the service had always been unclear, but things seem to be progressing nicely — in no small part thanks to three acquisitions made over the past year.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

This work, too, seems to be progressing.

The New Yorker

"Regional cooperation seems to be progressing nationally, but not here".

The New York Times - Sports

Claire is not a good patient, and Minna is moody, but everything seems to be progressing.

The New York Times - Books

In Turin, on the other hand, a similar project seems to be progressing rather more quickly.

Independent

Things seemed to be progressing well, but the process was taking its toll on Cohen.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for increased formality, consider using synonyms for the word 'seem', such as 'appear' or 'suggest', to add a more professional tone to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "seem to be progressing" when you have concrete evidence of actual progress. In such cases, a stronger statement like "is progressing rapidly" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seem to be progressing" functions as a verb phrase indicating a perceived or apparent state of advancement or development. It implies that based on available information, something appears to be moving forward, although the certainty of actual progress might be limited, as Ludwig AI confirms.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "seem to be progressing" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate that something appears to be moving forward, though without absolute certainty. As Ludwig AI states, it suggests a tentative observation, suitable for various contexts from news reporting to scientific discussions. Predominantly found in "News & Media", "Wiki", and "Science" contexts, it maintains a neutral register. Related phrases such as "appear to be advancing" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. When using "seem to be progressing", it's important to avoid overstating actual progress when more concrete evidence exists.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appear to be advancing

Replaces "seem" with "appear" and "progressing" with "advancing", suggesting a visible forward movement.

appear to be developing

Substitutes "progressing" with "developing", emphasizing growth and evolution.

appear to be moving forward

Replaces "progressing" with "moving forward", highlighting directional advancement.

appear to be shaping up

Uses "shaping up" instead of "progressing", suggesting the process of taking a defined form.

appear to be unfolding well

Emphasizes the process of revealing or developing in a positive manner.

show signs of advancement

Shifts the focus to the signs or indicators of progress.

demonstrate ongoing development

Highlights the continuous nature of development and replaces "seem" with a stronger verb.

give the impression of advancing

Focuses on the perceived impression of progress, adding a layer of subjectivity.

create the sense of forward movement

Similar to the previous phrase, but uses "forward movement" to describe progress.

suggest an upward trajectory

Implies a path of improvement or positive development.

FAQs

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

The phrase "seem to be progressing" is used to indicate that something appears to be moving forward or developing. For example: "Negotiations with the administrator "seem to be progressing" quite well".

What can I say instead of "seem to be progressing"?

Alternatives include "appear to be advancing", "appear to be developing", or "appear to be moving forward", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "seem to be progressing" or "seems to be progressing"?

"Seem to be progressing" is used with plural subjects, while "seems to be progressing" is used with singular subjects. For example, "Negotiations seem to be progressing" (plural) versus "The project seems to be progressing" (singular).

What's the difference between "seem to be progressing" and "is progressing"?

"Seem to be progressing" indicates an appearance or impression of progress, while "is progressing" states progress as a fact. "Seem to be progressing" suggests less certainty than "is progressing".