seem to have worked

USAGE SUMMARY

"seem to have worked" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a situation that appears to have been successful based on the evidence you have seen. For example, "We implemented a new training program and it seems to have worked - overall satisfaction within the team has increased significantly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It doesn't seem to have worked.

The New Yorker

But it doesn't seem to have worked.

The New Yorker

The tactics seem to have worked.

The New York Times

It does not seem to have worked.

The New York Times

These ads seem to have worked.

The New Yorker

The way the networks seem to have worked in collusion.

Independent

The laws seem to have worked as a deterrent.

The Economist

Things seem to have worked out O.K. since then.

The New York Times

What strategies seem to have worked in the past?

The New York Times

The great promise does not seem to have worked.

The New York Times

The policy does seem to have worked, albeit slowly.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seem to have worked" to express a tentative conclusion based on available evidence, acknowledging that the success may not be definitively proven. This avoids overstating the outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "seem to have worked" when a direct causal link is unconfirmed. Ensure other factors aren't more likely explanations for the perceived success.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seem to have worked" functions as a modal verb phrase used to express an assessment or conclusion about the effectiveness of something. It indicates that based on available evidence or observation, something appears to have been successful or achieved its intended outcome. This is supported by Ludwig AI's assessment of the phrase as correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "seem to have worked" is a frequently used and grammatically sound phrase that suggests a tentative conclusion about the success or effectiveness of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, this expression conveys a degree of confidence in the outcome while acknowledging the potential influence of other contributing elements. When using this phrase, it's crucial to avoid overstating causation and to recognize that observable success might have other possible explanations. Alternatives such as "appear to have succeeded" or "look to have been effective" can be used for variety, depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appear to have succeeded

Emphasizes the appearance of success, focusing on the visible outcome.

appear to have been effective

Highlights the effectiveness of an action, suggesting a positive result.

appear to have been successful

Focuses on the successful nature of an action, implying goal achievement.

look to have been effective

Indicates that based on observation, something has been effective.

give the impression of working

Suggests a surface-level assessment, where something gives off the impression of being effective.

suggest success

Implies that there are indicators that point toward a positive outcome.

indicate a positive result

Directly states that signs point to a favorable outcome.

have yielded positive results

Focuses on the results, emphasizing the yield or output of a process.

prove beneficial

Indicates a demonstration of usefulness or advantage.

turn out well

A more informal way of saying that something has had a positive conclusion.

FAQs

How can I use "seem to have worked" in a sentence?

You can use "seem to have worked" to indicate that something appears to have been successful or effective based on the current evidence. For example: "The new marketing strategy "seem to have worked", as sales have increased significantly this quarter."

What are some alternatives to "seem to have worked"?

Alternatives include phrases like "appear to have succeeded", "appear to have been effective", or "look to have been effective", which provide similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

When is it appropriate to use "seem to have worked"?

It's appropriate when you want to suggest a positive outcome without definitively confirming it. Use it when the evidence suggests success, but you acknowledge other factors may be involved.

Is "seem to have worked" formal or informal?

"Seem to have worked" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "appear to have been successful" may be preferred in academic or professional writing.