seems able to

USAGE SUMMARY

'seems able to' is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when describing a person or thing that appears to be capable of achieving something. For example, "She seems able to handle the situation with ease."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"She seems able to understand.

The New York Times

— that no one seems able to answer.

The New York Times

Nobody seems able to ignore him.

The New Yorker

Yet he seems able to handle it.

The Guardian

Mr Karzai seems able to talk to Mr Zardari.

The Economist

Nobody seems able to answer those basic questions.

The New Yorker

"Neither party seems able to prevail over the other militarily.

The New York Times

But no one seems able to leave the room.

The New Yorker

The economy seems able to handle more tightening.

The New York Times

No one seems able to say where it came from.

The New Yorker

Madlib, especially, seems able to hide music inside other music.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seems able to" to introduce a potential or emerging capability, rather than describing a well-established skill.

Common error

Avoid using "seems able to" when the ability is already confirmed or evident. Using stronger, more affirmative language will make your writing more precise and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seems able to" primarily functions as a qualifier, indicating a perceived or inferred ability rather than a definitively proven one. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "seems able to" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to convey a perceived ability or potential. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, especially in News & Media and Science, where expressing an opinion based on observation is crucial. When writing, use "seems able to" to suggest a capability without asserting it as a definitive fact. Considering alternatives like "appears capable of" can add nuance to your expression. Remember, clarity and context are key to effectively using "seems able to".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appears capable of

Replaces "seems" with "appears" and "able" with "capable", slightly formalizing the tone.

appears to be capable of

Adds "to be", emphasizing the state of capability, maintaining similar formality.

seems capable of

Omits "able to", using "capable of" to convey the same meaning with a slightly more formal tone.

is apparently capable of

Replaces "seems" with "is apparently", highlighting the observable nature of the capability.

is seen to be able to

Shifts focus to observation, indicating that someone or something is perceived as having the ability.

is believed to be able to

Indicates a belief or assumption about the ability, rather than a direct observation.

gives the impression of being able to

Emphasizes the perception or impression created, rather than the actual ability.

suggests an ability to

Focuses on implication, where evidence suggests the capability exists.

one might expect is able to

Adds an element of anticipation or expectation regarding the ability.

looks like is able to

Uses a more casual and observational tone, suggesting capability based on appearance.

FAQs

How can I use "seems able to" in a sentence?

Use "seems able to" to describe someone or something that appears to have the capacity or potential to do something, based on current evidence or observation. For example, "The new employee "seems able to" handle complex tasks efficiently".

What are some alternatives to "seems able to"?

You can use alternatives like "appears capable of", "seems capable of", or "is believed to be able to" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "seems able to" or "is able to"?

"Seems able to" implies an observation or perception, while "is able to" suggests a confirmed capability. Use "seems able to" when you're inferring ability based on evidence, and "is able to" when the ability is known or proven. The phrase "seems able to" is also used when you want to be cautios.

What's the difference between "seems able to" and "appears able to"?

"Seems able to" and "appears able to" are largely interchangeable. "Appears" can be slightly more formal, but both convey a sense of observation rather than certainty.