seem to be wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seem to be wrong" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a perception or belief that something is incorrect or not right. Example: "The calculations you provided seem to be wrong, as they do not match the expected results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

(Maybe that's why all those polls seem to be wrong).

The New York Times

But their accusations are not only cynical - by most accounts they also seem to be wrong.

The Guardian - Opinion

And at the third part of the talk, I'll have comments about the design of data sets in that case, and issues where certain findings might seem to be wrong because they've been found on various [INAUDIBLE] data sets, and then not really going to they're unlikely to extend to anything more complex.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Sadly, I don't yet seem to be wrong.

TechCrunch

This criterion judges some acts to be not wrong which certainly seem to be wrong.

SEP

Moreover, the results of [15] seem to be wrong when (lim_{xrightarrow0}frac{h x,x,ldots,x)}{x}=0).

Boundary Value Problems

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

But that explanation, too, seems to be wrong.

The Economist

Something seems to be wrong with his head.

The Guardian - Arts

The problem is, this individualist description of human nature seems to be wrong.

The New York Times

It's an idea that has enthralled many, but has seemed to be wrong.

Harvard Business Review

Both he and Girardi insist his left elbow is not sore, but something seems to be wrong.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "incorrect", "inaccurate", or "mistaken" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. These alternatives can add precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "seem to be wrong" when you have definitive proof of an error. In such cases, a more direct statement like "is wrong" or "is incorrect" is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seem to be wrong" functions as a qualifying expression, softening a statement about something potentially being incorrect. It introduces a degree of uncertainty or subjectivity, as evidenced by Ludwig AI confirming its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

35%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "seem to be wrong" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to convey a tentative judgment or suspicion that something is incorrect. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. While not exceedingly common, the phrase appears across various contexts, including news, science, and academia, making it appropriate for neutral to formal communication. Synonyms such as "appear to be incorrect" or "appear to be mistaken" can offer alternative phrasing depending on the desired nuance. When employing "seem to be wrong", ensure you provide supporting context to strengthen your claim while avoiding overstating certainty when definitive proof exists.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appear to be incorrect

Changes "seem" to "appear" and "wrong" to "incorrect", maintaining the core meaning with slightly more formal vocabulary.

appear to be mistaken

Replaces "wrong" with "mistaken", suggesting an error in understanding or judgment.

appear to be inaccurate

Substitutes "wrong" with "inaccurate", focusing on a lack of precision or correctness.

appear to be erroneous

Uses "erroneous" instead of "wrong", indicating a more formal and definitive error.

seem to be flawed

Replaces "wrong" with "flawed", suggesting an inherent defect or weakness.

seem to be off

Uses "off" instead of "wrong", implying a deviation from what is expected or correct.

seem to be amiss

Replaces "wrong" with "amiss", suggesting something is out of place or not quite right.

seem to be faulty

Uses "faulty" instead of "wrong", implying a defect in design or construction.

seem to be dubious

Replaces "wrong" with "dubious", suggesting uncertainty or doubt about the correctness.

appear to not be right

Rephrases the original using "not right" instead of "wrong", providing a more literal alternative.

FAQs

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

You can use "seem to be wrong" to express a perception that something is incorrect, like in the sentence, "The calculations you provided "seem to be wrong", as they don't match the expected results."

What are some alternatives to saying "seem to be wrong"?

Alternatives include "appear to be incorrect", "appear to be mistaken", or "appear to be inaccurate" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "seem to be wrong" or "is wrong"?

Use "seem to be wrong" when you have a suspicion or indication of an error but lack definitive proof. Use "is wrong" when you have confirmed evidence of the mistake.

What's the difference between "seem to be wrong" and "appear to be wrong"?

The phrases "seem to be wrong" and "appear to be wrong" are largely interchangeable. Both convey a similar meaning of something giving the impression of being incorrect. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference or stylistic variation.