seemed that

USAGE SUMMARY

"seemed that" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to indicate an opinion, or to speculatively draw a conclusion from evidence. Example: It seemed that the problem was out of his control.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It only seemed that way.

The New York Times - Sports

It certainly seemed that way.

The New York Times - Sports

Maybe it seemed that way.

The New York Times

Or at least it seemed that way.

Independent

At least it seemed that way.

The New York Times - Sports

"Nothing seemed that important," he said.

The New York Times - Magazine

It only sometimes seemed that way.

The New York Times

It just seemed that way.

The New York Times - Sports

And it seemed that way, until this month.

The New York Times

Or maybe it just seemed that way.

The New York Times

At least, it always seemed that way.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seemed that" to convey an impression or subjective assessment based on available information. It's particularly useful when you want to express a conclusion without stating it as an absolute fact.

Common error

While "seemed that" is acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your sentence structure by using stronger verbs or more direct observations to create a more confident and engaging tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seemed that" functions as a reporting clause, introducing a subjective impression or tentative conclusion. It presents information as perceived, rather than as an established fact. Ludwig examples show diverse contexts, reflecting its broad applicability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

32%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "seemed that" is a versatile phrase used to introduce subjective impressions or tentative conclusions. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and highlights its common usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. While it's a useful tool for conveying uncertainty, varying your sentence structure and using stronger verbs can enhance the impact of your writing in more formal settings. Alternatives like "appeared to be" or "gave the impression of" can provide stylistic variations while maintaining similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appeared to be

Replaces "seemed" with "appeared", focusing on the visual impression.

gave the impression of

Emphasizes the creation of a particular feeling or idea.

looked as if

Focuses on the visual aspect and a hypothetical scenario.

gave the sense that

Highlights the feeling or perception created.

had the appearance of

Stresses the outward presentation.

it was apparent that

Replaces "seemed" with "was apparent", indicating something easily noticed.

it suggested that

Emphasizes that something implied a certain conclusion.

it indicated that

Highlights that something pointed towards a specific fact or situation.

one could infer that

Focuses on the logical deduction made by an observer.

it transpired that

Indicates that something became known or proved to be the case.

FAQs

How can I use "seemed that" in a sentence?

"Seemed that" is used to express an impression or tentative conclusion. For instance, "It "seemed that" he was nervous" suggests an observation without definitive proof.

What are some alternatives to "seemed that"?

Alternatives include phrases like "appeared to be", "gave the impression of", or "looked as if", which offer similar nuances in conveying an impression.

Is it always appropriate to use "seemed that" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "seemed that" can sometimes weaken the impact of your writing. In formal contexts, consider using stronger, more direct verbs to convey observations with greater confidence.

What's the difference between "seemed that" and "was clear that"?

"Seemed that" suggests a subjective impression based on observation, while "was clear that" implies a more objective and evident conclusion. For example, "It "seemed that" he was lying" is less assertive than "It "was clear that" he was lying".