seem to demonstrate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seem to demonstrate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something appears to show or provide evidence for a particular conclusion or idea, but without asserting it definitively. Example: "The results of the experiment seem to demonstrate a correlation between the two variables."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Two painted portraits of Fairfield Porter from 1954 seem to demonstrate the struggle.

The Washington Post

Its clinical presentation and anatomopathological structure seem to demonstrate a particularly rich vascularity.

Microvascular Research

Recent incidents which would seem to demonstrate the inability of some persons.

The New Yorker

But investors seem to demonstrate little interest in whether the person is ethical and trustworthy.

The New York Times

Thus, what all these movies seem to demonstrate is this: you think guys named Yuri and Dimitri are scary?

The Guardian - Film

This information did not seem to demonstrate that students receiving loans were more alienated than their peers.

The New York Times

The data seem to demonstrate that exposure to combat alone does not weaken the human psychological condition.

The New York Times

In some ways, this slim, silvery span and the appetite for using it seem to demonstrate a new national confidence in all things hi-tech and streamlined.

The Guardian - Arts

The exercise didn't cure writer's block across the board, but it did seem to demonstrate to the creatively stymied that they were still capable of creativity.

The New Yorker

These results seem to demonstrate a growing interest on the part of the people to play a more functional & less traditional role in local gov't.

The New Yorker

MSCs would seem to demonstrate a substantial beneficial effect on locomotor recovery in a widely-used animal model of traumatic SCI.

Neurobiology of Disease

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seem to demonstrate" when you want to present an observation or finding without asserting it as a definitive fact. This allows you to maintain a level of objectivity and avoid overstating your conclusions.

Common error

Avoid using "seem to demonstrate" when stronger evidence exists. If the evidence is conclusive, opt for more assertive phrases like "clearly demonstrates" or "proves."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seem to demonstrate" functions as a qualifying verb phrase. It softens a claim, indicating that something gives the impression of proving or showing something, but without asserting it definitively. Ludwig examples support this function, showing its use in various contexts to present tentative findings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "seem to demonstrate" is a versatile tool in writing, allowing for the presentation of information with a degree of caution and objectivity. As confirmed by Ludwig, its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across diverse sources, particularly in science and news media, highlight its relevance in both formal and neutral contexts. When using this phrase, remember to consider whether the evidence truly warrants such qualification or if a stronger assertion is more appropriate. Alternatives such as "appear to indicate" or "suggest that" can provide subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appear to indicate

Replaces "seem" with "appear" and "demonstrate" with "indicate", softening the assertion.

suggest that

Uses a more concise phrasing to convey a similar sense of implication.

indicate that

Directly states that something points towards a particular conclusion.

give the impression of showing

Emphasizes the subjective interpretation of an observation.

lead one to believe

Focuses on the effect on the observer's belief.

tend to suggest

Implies a common pattern or inclination.

may point towards

Indicates a possible direction or outcome.

could be indicative of

Suggests that something could be a sign of something else.

hint at

Uses a more subtle term to suggest an indirect indication.

bear witness to

More literary and emphatic, implying a strong but perhaps indirect showing of evidence.

FAQs

How can I use "seem to demonstrate" in a sentence?

Use "seem to demonstrate" to suggest an apparent relationship or conclusion based on available evidence, without making a definitive claim. For example, "The initial results "seem to demonstrate" a positive correlation between exercise and mood."

What are some alternatives to "seem to demonstrate"?

You can use alternatives such as "appear to indicate", "suggest that", or "indicate that" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "seem to demonstrate" or "clearly demonstrates"?

Use "seem to demonstrate" when the evidence is not conclusive and you want to express a degree of uncertainty. Use "clearly demonstrates" when the evidence is strong and supports a definitive conclusion.

What's the difference between "seem to demonstrate" and "suggests"?

"Seem to demonstrate" implies a visual or evidential basis for the conclusion, while "suggests" can be based on more abstract reasoning or indirect evidence. "The data "seem to demonstrate" a trend," versus "His behavior "suggests" he is hiding something."