seem to exhibit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seem to exhibit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing observations or behaviors that appear to be present but may not be definitively proven. Example: "The results of the study seem to exhibit a correlation between sleep patterns and productivity levels."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They seem to exhibit a hubris about how far their influence extends.

The New Yorker

But collectively, surfers seem to exhibit a spirituality which stands independently of any formal beliefs they may hold.

The Guardian - Opinion

Inscriptions in the southern Piceno, however, seem to exhibit a close kinship with the Umbro-Sabellic dialects.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At a time when so many art museums seem to exhibit the same bland roster of acknowledged art stars, the Montreal museum has a thrilling regional bent.

The New York Times - Travel

They found that the people who lived to 95 and beyond did not seem to exhibit healthier lifestyles than those who died younger.

The New York Times

Thus the top and bottom of British society seem to exhibit quite similar values — both play the system, and both see no reason why they should not.

The New York Times

And while many researchers found that the children of homosexual parents often faced teasing and harassment from their peers, the sociologists wrote, the studies also showed that such children "seem to exhibit impressive psychological strength".

The New York Times - Health

Last week, in our World Changers Issue, Michael Pollan wrote about the growing field of plant neurobiology and the ways that plants seem to exhibit intelligence, intention, and even choice.

The New Yorker

By The New Yorker December 20 , 2013 Last week in our World Changers Issue, Michael Pollan wrote about the growing field of plant neurobiology and the ways that plants seem to exhibit intelligence, intention, and even choice.

The New Yorker

Nature may seem to exhibit its own values.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

So the aphron-based drilling fluids seem to exhibit stability at high temperature.

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "seem to exhibit", ensure that the subject of the sentence is capable of displaying the quality or behavior being described. This maintains clarity and avoids illogical constructions.

Common error

Avoid using "seem to exhibit" as a weak substitute for stronger, more direct language when the evidence is conclusive. If your research definitively proves a characteristic, state it directly rather than hedging with "seem to exhibit".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seem to exhibit" functions as a hedge, softening a claim by expressing an observation or inference rather than a definitive statement. It indicates that something appears to display a particular quality or characteristic, but without absolute certainty. This is supported by Ludwig, which provides numerous examples in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

61%

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "seem to exhibit" is a versatile phrase used to express an observation or tentative conclusion without asserting it as a definite fact. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently employed across a range of contexts, particularly in science and news media. It functions as a hedging device, allowing writers to present information cautiously and avoid overstating claims. Alternatives like "appear to show" or "appear to demonstrate" can be used for variety, but "seem to exhibit" remains a reliable and widely accepted choice for expressing apparent qualities or behaviors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appear to show

This option is simpler and more direct, replacing "exhibit" with "show" for a more straightforward expression.

seem to show

This alternative uses the simpler word "show" in place of "exhibit", resulting in a more direct and easily understood phrase.

appear to display

This alternative replaces "exhibit" with "display", offering a slightly different nuance while maintaining the core meaning of showing or revealing something.

appear to demonstrate

Substituting "exhibit" with "demonstrate" emphasizes the act of showing something clearly and outwardly.

seem to display

By replacing "exhibit" with "display", this alternative provides a slight variation while retaining the original meaning of showing or presenting.

seem to demonstrate

Replacing "exhibit" with "demonstrate" underscores the action of clearly showing or proving something.

appear to manifest

"Manifest" implies that something is becoming apparent or obvious, adding a layer of visibility to the phrase.

seem to manifest

Using "manifest" instead of "exhibit" implies that something is becoming evident or apparent.

appear to possess

Using "possess" instead of "exhibit" suggests that something seems to have a particular quality or attribute.

seem to possess

This substitute indicates that something appears to have a certain quality, replacing "exhibit" with "possess".

FAQs

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

Use "seem to exhibit" to describe something that appears to display a particular quality or characteristic. For example, "The data "seem to exhibit" a trend toward higher efficiency".

What are some alternatives to "seem to exhibit"?

Alternatives include phrases like "appear to show", "appear to demonstrate", or "seem to display", which offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

Is it better to use "seem to exhibit" or "clearly exhibits"?

The choice depends on the certainty of your observation. Use "seem to exhibit" when you want to express an apparent trend or quality without definitive proof. Use "clearly exhibits" when the evidence is conclusive.

What is the nuance between "seem to exhibit" and "tend to exhibit"?

"Seem to exhibit" suggests an observation based on current evidence, while "tend to exhibit" implies a habitual or characteristic behavior over time.