seemingly good

USAGE SUMMARY

"seemingly good" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to convey a sense of uncertainty regarding something that appears to be good. For example, "His grades in school were seemingly good, but he was not actually learning anything."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sporting events are seemingly good targets for experimentation.

The New York Times

He was curious and in seemingly good spirits.

The Guardian

Not even seemingly good news for the market from Washington could perk up investors.

The New York Times

What shocked many is the sense that Sweet Briar was in seemingly good financial health.

The Guardian

He was 44-years-old and was in seemingly good health.

Independent

But about Simon Starling's show I was less certain, for all his seemingly good intentions.

The Guardian - Arts

Josep Gombau leaves his side in seemingly good hands – those of compatriot Guillermo Amor.

The Guardian - Sport

Even this month's other seemingly good news had a dark lining.

The New York Times

Despite the seemingly good intentions of Simonds and some others, selling the Olympic symbols for large sums has drawn critics.

The New York Times

However, when one turns out to be not what the other expected, a seemingly good match can quickly turn sour.

The Guardian

Lurking over the American negotiating team is the specter of what can go wrong even with a seemingly good deal to buy time.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "seemingly good" with a contrasting clause to highlight the discrepancy between appearance and reality; for example, "The plan seemed seemingly good, but in reality, it was flawed."

Common error

Avoid using "seemingly good" without explaining why something only seems good. The phrase is most effective when followed by evidence or reasoning that questions the initial positive impression. Without further explanation, it can make the writing sound incomplete or hesitant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seemingly good" primarily functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase. It qualifies a noun by indicating that something appears to be good, but this appearance may not reflect the complete or accurate reality. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase introduces a sense of caution or skepticism.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "seemingly good" is a versatile adjective phrase used to describe something that appears positive on the surface, but may conceal underlying issues or uncertainties. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used across diverse contexts, notably in news, media, and scientific domains. The phrase introduces a note of caution. When using this phrase, ensure you provide context to explain why something only seems good to maximize clarity and impact. Always consider that it implies potential deception.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

apparently positive

Focuses on the outward appearance of positivity, similar to "seemingly good".

ostensibly beneficial

Highlights the surface-level benefit, implying a possible hidden downside.

superficially advantageous

Emphasizes the lack of depth in the positive aspect.

outwardly favorable

Stresses the external appearance of being favorable.

on the face of it positive

Indicates a positive impression upon initial observation.

giving the impression of goodness

Highlights that it's the impression which is important, not the reality.

appearing to be beneficial

Underscores the appearance of benefit without confirming its actual presence.

presenting a good facade

Implies that there might be deception or misrepresentation involved.

giving a rosy picture

Suggests a potentially misleading or overly optimistic view.

masquerading as good

Strongly implies deception or a hidden negative aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "seemingly good" in a sentence?

Use "seemingly good" to describe something that appears positive at first glance but may have underlying issues or hidden drawbacks. For instance, "The company's profits were /s/apparently+positive"apparently positive", but a closer look revealed unsustainable practices".

What are some alternatives to "seemingly good"?

You can use alternatives like ""apparently positive"", "ostensibly beneficial", or "superficially advantageous" depending on the context.

When should I use "seemingly good" instead of "good"?

Use "seemingly good" when you want to express doubt or uncertainty about the true quality or outcome of something that initially appears positive. It implies that there may be hidden problems or that the positive impression might be misleading, contrary to simply saying "good".

What's the difference between "seemingly good" and "evidently good"?

"Seemingly good" suggests a potential for the appearance to be deceiving, while "evidently good" implies that the goodness is apparent and supported by evidence. "Seemingly good" introduces a degree of skepticism that "evidently good" does not.