seems about right

USAGE SUMMARY

"seems about right" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are agreeing with something that someone has said, or that you think is generally accurate. For example, you might say, "That estimate of the cost of the project seems about right."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That seems about right.

The New York Times

That still seems about right.

The Economist

Now it seems about right.

The Economist

Seems about right to me.

The New York Times

Smug seems about right.

The Guardian - Books

Which seems about right.

The Guardian - Books

A decade seems about right.

The Guardian - Opinion

And that seems about right.

The Guardian - Sport

This seems about right to me.

Princeton University

"Yeah, that seems about right," Noah said.

The Washington Post

That seems about right to me.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seems about right" to express agreement or acceptance of an assessment or statement. It's suitable for situations where you generally concur, but aren't necessarily certain about the absolute accuracy.

Common error

While "seems about right" is versatile, avoid overusing it in highly formal or professional settings. Opt for more precise and formal alternatives like "that's a fair assessment" or "that appears accurate" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

"Seems about right" functions as an interjection or a short phrase used to express agreement or acceptance of a statement, assessment, or situation. It indicates a general concurrence without necessarily implying complete certainty. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples of its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Seems about right" is a common phrase used to express agreement or acknowledgment, suggesting something aligns with expectations without definitive certainty. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, especially in news and media. While versatile, it's best to reserve it for neutral to informal contexts, opting for more precise language in formal writing. Alternatives like "sounds reasonable" or "that's a fair assessment" can be used to enhance formality when needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sounds reasonable

Indicates agreement or acceptance based on logic or feasibility.

that's a fair assessment

Highlights the impartiality and accuracy of an evaluation.

that appears accurate

Focuses on the perceived correctness and factual basis.

that's my understanding

Expresses agreement based on personal knowledge or interpretation.

that aligns with my expectations

Indicates that something is consistent with what was anticipated.

that seems plausible

Emphasizes the believability or likelihood of something.

that tracks

Informal term signifying that something is consistent with prior information or expectations.

that checks out

Suggests verification and confirmation of accuracy, often informally.

that holds up

Indicates that something remains valid or accurate under scrutiny.

that rings true

Implies that something feels authentic or genuine.

FAQs

How can I use "seems about right" in a sentence?

You can use "seems about right" to express agreement or acknowledgment of something. For example, "The estimated cost for the repair "seems about right" given the extent of the damage."

What are some alternatives to "seems about right"?

Alternatives include "sounds reasonable", "that's a fair assessment", or "that appears accurate", depending on the context and level of formality.

Is "seems about right" appropriate for formal writing?

While acceptable in many contexts, "seems about right" may be too informal for highly formal writing. Consider alternatives like "appears accurate" or "is a reasonable estimate" in such cases.

What does "seems about right" imply?

It implies a general agreement or acceptance, suggesting that something is likely accurate or suitable, without necessarily being definitively confirmed.