seemed doable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seemed doable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something appeared to be achievable or manageable. Example: "After reviewing the project requirements, it seemed doable to complete it within the given timeframe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

He said that the challenge seemed "doable".

The New York Times

Running was out of the question; walking seemed doable.

The New York Times - Sports

I liked to write, and two to three pages seemed doable.

The New York Times

"We thought the show was already in pretty good shape, and while we had to move very fast to build the sets and get ready for Broadway, it seemed doable," Mr. Viertel said.

The New York Times

In many ways, they embodied the optimism of that decade, when the country was in the midst of a record boom, and so much, even medical miracles, seemed doable.

The New York Times

In a world without constraint, finally freed from the force of gravity, anything seemed doable: the 1990s gave birth to the third way, technological utopianism, the biggest speculative bubble in history, neutral, interest-free globalisation.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

"The middle schools seem doable.

The New York Times

They have made the next goal seem doable.

The New York Times - Sports

"Here's a case where we know the physics, and the engineering seems doable," he said.

The New York Times - Science

This would require a lot of bemused frowning from Hugh Bonneville, which seems doable.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He told me, "2020 seems doable, and Jackson seems like the low-hanging fruit as Presidents on the currency goes, so I think they probably have a shot".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seemed doable" to express a preliminary assessment of feasibility. It implies an initial impression that something is achievable, but doesn't guarantee it will be easy or successful.

Common error

Avoid using "seemed doable" when you have concrete evidence that something is definitely achievable or unachievable. This phrase is best suited for expressing an initial impression or assessment, not a final determination.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seemed doable" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe something as appearing achievable or feasible. Ludwig examples show it often qualifies tasks, plans, or goals.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

12%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "seemed doable" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something appeared achievable or manageable at first glance. According to Ludwig, its usage spans across diverse contexts, predominantly in news and media. While its register remains relatively neutral, it's advisable to avoid overstating certainty and ensure it aligns with preliminary assessments rather than final conclusive statements. Consider using alternative phrases such as "appeared feasible" or "looked achievable", depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appeared feasible

Replaces "seemed" with "appeared" and "doable" with "feasible", offering a slightly more formal tone.

looked achievable

Substitutes "seemed" with "looked" and "doable" with "achievable", maintaining a similar level of formality.

seemed attainable

Replaces "doable" with "attainable", suggesting something is within reach.

appeared manageable

Emphasizes the ease of handling or controlling something, using "manageable" instead of "doable".

looked like a possibility

Expresses the idea that something could happen or be true, differing slightly in directness.

seemed within reach

Highlights the accessibility of something, suggesting it is not too difficult to obtain or achieve.

appeared to be no problem

Indicates the absence of anticipated difficulties, changing the focus from capability to potential issues.

seemed uncomplicated

Replaces "doable" with "uncomplicated", focusing on the simplicity of the task or situation.

looked promising

Suggests a positive outlook or expectation, shifting the emphasis to potential success.

appeared straightforward

Focuses on the directness and lack of complexity, indicating the task is easy to understand and execute.

FAQs

What does "seemed doable" mean?

"Seemed doable" means something appeared achievable or feasible based on initial assessment. It suggests a task or goal looked possible to accomplish.

What can I say instead of "seemed doable"?

You can use alternatives like "appeared feasible", "looked achievable", or "seemed attainable" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "seemed doable"?

It's appropriate when describing an initial assessment of a task or goal, indicating it looked possible or manageable at first glance, without guaranteeing success.

Is "seemed doable" formal or informal?

"Seemed doable" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both informal and semi-formal contexts. More formal alternatives include "appeared feasible".