seem to support

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seem to support" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something appears to provide backing or evidence for a particular idea or argument, though it may not be definitive. Example: "The data from the recent study seem to support the hypothesis that exercise improves mental health."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The results seem to support this idea.

The Economist

Pricing trends seem to support the thesis.

The New York Times - Tech

His teammates, though, seem to support him.

The New York Times - Sports

Her early examples seem to support this.

The New York Times

"The numbers seem to support it".

The New York Times

Certain studies might seem to support this perspective.

The New York Times - Health

But still, why do so many seem to support it?

The New Yorker

Africa's wars certainly seem to support this theory.Take Congo.

The Economist

QUESTION FROM HARRIET: David You seem to support O'Donnell.

The New Yorker

The facts do not seem to support this interpretation.

The New Yorker

The company's sales data seem to support that philosophy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seem to support" to express that evidence leans towards a particular conclusion without making a definitive claim. This allows for nuanced communication where certainty is not possible or appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "seem to support" when the evidence is conclusive. Instead, opt for stronger verbs like "proves", "confirms", or "demonstrates" to accurately reflect the strength of the evidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seem to support" functions as a hedge, indicating a tentative endorsement or providing suggestive, rather than conclusive, evidence for a particular claim or hypothesis. Ludwig AI confirms the wide applicability of this phrase across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

57%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "seem to support" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that indicates tentative evidence or endorsement. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness. It is appropriate across various registers, from scientific publications to news articles, allowing writers to convey nuanced perspectives without overstating the certainty of their claims. While versatile, it's crucial to avoid using it when stronger verbs like "prove" or "confirm" are more fitting, to ensure accurate representation of the evidence's strength.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appear to endorse

Focuses on the appearance of giving approval or backing.

appear to substantiate

Highlights the aspect of providing evidence to prove the truth of something.

suggest the validity of

Implies that something points toward the correctness or truth of something else.

lend credence to

Emphasizes the act of making something believable or plausible.

give weight to

Highlights adding importance or significance to an idea.

tend to validate

Suggests a leaning towards confirming the accuracy or legitimacy of something.

hint at confirmation of

Suggests a subtle indication that something is being verified.

bear out

Implies that something confirms or supports the truth of something else.

align with

Indicates that things match or agree with each other.

intimate that

Suggests something subtly or indirectly.

FAQs

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

Use "seem to support" when you want to indicate that something appears to provide backing or evidence for a particular idea or argument, but you don't want to overstate the strength of the evidence. For example: "The results of the experiment "seem to support" the hypothesis."

What are some alternatives to "seem to support"?

You can use alternatives such as "appear to endorse", "lend credence to", or "suggest the validity of" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it inappropriate to use "seem to support"?

It's best to avoid "seem to support" when the evidence is definitive and clearly proves a point. In such cases, use stronger verbs like "prove", "confirm", or "demonstrate" to accurately reflect the strength of the evidence instead.

What is the difference between "seem to support" and "prove"?

"Seem to support" indicates that something provides some evidence but doesn't offer conclusive proof, while "prove" means that something has been definitively established as true. "The data "seem to support" the claim" suggests the claim is likely true, but further investigation may be needed. "The data "prove" the claim" indicates it's been definitively established.