seemed in position to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seemed in position to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone or something appears to be ready or capable of doing something. Example: "The team seemed in position to win the championship after their recent victories."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The 22-year-old Murray, who was seeded fifth, seemed in position to do it.

The New York Times - Sports

He was only 34 years old at the time, and seemed in position to write himself any sort of ticket he wanted.

The New York Times - Sports

Labonte, another of the five drivers racing for the bonus, seemed in position to make a run for the money after emerging from the pits in second place with 45 laps to go.

The New York Times - Sports

Oaks-Derby Double Foiled Going into Kentucky Derby weekend, Ken McPeek seemed in position to become the first trainer since Ben Jones in 1952 to win the Kentucky Oaks and Derby in the same year.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The French Open begins in two weeks, and Sampras hardly seems in position to capture the only Grand Slam title to elude him.

The New York Times - Sports

The Socialists won a clear majority of seats (269 of the total 491) and seemed in a position to transform France into a social democratic state.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Jackrabbits seemed in excellent position to tie the score when quarterback Brandon Brooks found a wide-open Derrick Jones on his team's first offensive play from scrimmage.

The New York Times - Sports

The Thunder, who seemed in perfect position to take a commanding 3-1 series lead until the game's final minutes instead find themselves tied 2-2 with an incredibly talented Clippers team that has luck, momentum and even public sentiment on its side.

The Guardian - Sport

"SAFE!" Although Miller seemed in prime position to make this call, he whiffed on it.

Huffington Post

Kendrick, the second baseman, drifted back for it and seemed to be in position to catch it — when he suddenly and inexplicably stopped running.

The New York Times - Sports

"We always seem to be in position to win at the end, but for some reason we can't seem to come through," Garnett said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seemed in position to" when you want to convey that someone or something appeared ready or likely to do something, but without stating definitively that they actually did it. This allows for a degree of uncertainty or observation.

Common error

Avoid using "seemed in position to" when you have concrete evidence that the action actually occurred. In such cases, a more direct statement is preferable. Using "seemed in position to" can imply doubt where none exists.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seemed in position to" functions as a verb phrase indicating a perceived state of readiness or capability. It suggests that based on available information, someone or something appeared ready to undertake a specific action or achieve a particular outcome. Ludwig's examples illustrate how the phrase is used to describe situations where success appeared probable, but not guaranteed.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

12%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "seemed in position to" is a verb phrase used to express an observed state of readiness or capability. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct, though relatively rare in occurrence. Its primary function is to convey an assessment of likelihood without absolute certainty. This phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts, suggesting a neutral register. When using "seemed in position to", remember to avoid overstating certainty and consider more direct statements when concrete evidence is available. Alternative phrases such as "appeared likely to" or "was poised to" can offer similar meanings with slight variations in tone and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appeared likely to

Replaces "seemed" with "appeared" and "in position" with "likely", slightly altering the nuance to focus on probability.

looked ready to

Uses "looked" instead of "seemed", creating a more visual sense of readiness.

looked set to

Similar to "looked ready to", but with a stronger implication of a planned or expected outcome.

was poised to

Emphasizes a state of being prepared and ready to act, differing slightly in tone.

gave the impression of being able to

More verbose, this emphasizes the impression created rather than the actual state.

had the appearance of being ready to

Similar to the previous phrase, but slightly more formal in tone.

created the expectation of

Focuses on the expectation generated by the situation, rather than the position itself.

was on the verge of

Suggests an imminence of action or event, implying a slightly more advanced stage of readiness.

seemed on track to

Implies progress towards a goal, adding a sense of ongoing momentum.

projected to be able to

Focuses on a forecast or prediction of capability, making it suitable in more analytical contexts.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "seemed in position to" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "appeared likely to" or "was poised to". These alternatives often convey a sense of readiness or capability in a more sophisticated manner.

What are some common synonyms for "seemed in position to"?

Some common synonyms include "looked ready to", "appeared to be ready", or "was on the verge of". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is there a subtle difference between "seemed in position to" and "was in position to"?

Yes, "seemed in position to" implies an observation or perception of readiness, whereas "was in position to" suggests a confirmed state of readiness or capability. The former introduces a degree of uncertainty or subjectivity.

When is it more appropriate to use "seemed in position to" versus a more direct statement?

Use "seemed in position to" when you want to express an impression or observation without absolute certainty. If you have concrete evidence, a more direct statement such as "was able to" or "succeeded in" is more appropriate.