seem to suggest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'seem to suggest' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to indicate that something appears to be true, but is not actually stated outright. For example, "The way he talks about her makes it seem to suggest they are in a relationship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The packaging would seem to suggest otherwise.

The New Yorker

Universities seem to suggest that wisdom is in books.

Stanford University

VC and media accounts seem to suggest so.

Harvard Business Review

HP's struggles seem to suggest just the opposite.

MIT Technology Review

So far, the results seem to suggest that they do.

The Guardian

We have these E-mails that seem to suggest otherwise.

The New Yorker

The polls seem to suggest voters are with Hernandez.

The Guardian

In fact, they seem to suggest the reverse.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

But two days later, Girardi seemed to suggest otherwise.

The New York Times

Florida law seems to suggest it can.

The New York Times

But her tears seemed to suggest otherwise.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seem to suggest" to present an interpretation of information without stating it as a definitive fact. This allows for nuance and avoids overstating your conclusion.

Common error

Avoid using "seem to suggest" when the evidence clearly demonstrates a fact. Reserve it for situations where the conclusion is an inference rather than a certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seem to suggest" functions as a hedge, softening the assertion that something is true. It indicates an interpretation or inference based on available information. As noted by Ludwig AI, it implies something appears true, but isn't directly stated.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

22%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "seem to suggest" is a versatile phrase used to present interpretations with a degree of caution. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase signals that something appears to be true based on the available evidence but isn't an outright claim. It's frequently found in news, science, and academic writing, where nuanced and hedged language is common. While the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used, it's important to avoid overstating the implication. Instead, utilize it when you intend to propose an inference rather than a definitive assertion. Consider alternatives like "appear to indicate" or "imply" for different shades of meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appear to indicate

Changes 'seem' to 'appear', emphasizing the visual aspect of the suggestion and 'suggest' to 'indicate', making the implication slightly more direct.

imply

A more direct and concise way of saying "seem to suggest", focusing on the act of implying something without explicitly stating it.

hint at

Emphasizes the subtlety of the suggestion, implying a more indirect form of communication.

intimate

Similar to 'imply', but often carries a slightly more subtle or delicate connotation.

give the impression

Focuses on the perception created, rather than the direct act of suggesting.

lead one to believe

Highlights the persuasive aspect of the suggestion, indicating that it influences belief.

point towards

Suggests a direction or conclusion that the evidence supports.

make one think

Simplifies the expression by focusing on the thought process it evokes.

create the idea

Focuses on the formation of an idea in someone's mind as a result of the suggestion.

insinuate

Implies a more subtle or even artful way of hinting at something, often with a negative connotation.

FAQs

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

Use "seem to suggest" to indicate that something appears to be the case based on available information, but is not explicitly stated. For example, "The data "seem to suggest" a decline in sales."

What are some alternatives to "seem to suggest"?

Alternatives include "appear to indicate", "imply", or "hint at", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to use "suggest" or "seem to suggest"?

Use "suggest" when you want to state something more directly. "Seem to suggest" is appropriate when you want to express a more tentative or indirect implication.

What's the difference between "imply" and "seem to suggest"?

"Imply" indicates a direct, though unstated, communication. "Seem to suggest" is used when evidence or circumstances point towards a conclusion without explicit communication. The evidence might "seem to suggest", but a person "implies".