seems capable of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seems capable of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express an impression or belief about someone's or something's ability to perform a task or function. Example: "The new software seems capable of handling large datasets efficiently."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Marcelo Games's Manson, a gentle-seeming hippie prone to abrupt fits of rage, hardly seems capable of inspiring the murder of five innocent people.

The New York Times

Harlan's Holiday seems capable of gaining both.

The New York Times - Sports

She always seems capable of surprise.

The Guardian

He somehow seems capable of being both at once.

The Guardian

Now, nothing seems capable of starting it up.

The New York Times

Neither side seems capable of listening to the other.

The New York Times

But neither side seems capable of decisive progress.

The Economist

Almost nothing seems capable of shaking this belief.

The New York Times

Bendtner gives them something that no other striker seems capable of: goals.

The Guardian - Sport

But he seems capable of impulsively throwing his money behind the Communists once more.

The New York Times

They have no de Klerk, no politician who seems capable of breaking the old mold.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing scientific findings, use "seems capable of" to indicate a tentative conclusion that requires further validation through research.

Common error

Avoid using "seemed capable to" instead of "seemed capable of". The preposition "of" is essential for the correct grammatical structure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seems capable of" functions as a qualifying adjective phrase, indicating a perceived or apparent ability. As Ludwig AI points out, it suggests a level of potential or possibility rather than a definitive statement of fact. It is used to express an impression based on available information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "seems capable of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey a perceived ability or potential. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as an adjective phrase, qualifying a noun with an impression of capability. It's primarily found in news, media and scientific contexts, where expressing observations and qualified judgments is essential. While highly versatile, it’s important to maintain correct grammatical structure, particularly by using the preposition "of". Alternative phrases such as "appears to be able to" offer similar nuanced expressions for varied writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appears to be able to

Replaces "seems" with "appears" and uses the full infinitive "to be able", slightly more formal.

appears capable of

Substitutes "seems" with "appears", indicating a similar level of perception or judgment.

is apparently able to

Adds "apparently" to emphasize the impression of capability based on available evidence.

is seemingly able to

Uses "seemingly" instead of "seems", highlighting the outward appearance of capability.

looks to be capable of

Employs "looks" to describe the visual impression of someone or something being capable.

suggests an ability to

Replaces the direct statement of capability with a suggestion of potential or skill.

gives the impression of being able to

Uses a more descriptive expression to convey the same sense of perceived capability.

is believed to be capable of

Shifts the focus to a belief or opinion about someone's or something's capability.

is thought to be capable of

Similar to "believed to be", but emphasizes a more general consideration or assessment.

has the potential to

Focuses on the inherent potential rather than the apparent capability.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "seems capable of" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use alternatives such as "appears to be able to" or "is believed to be capable of", which convey a more considered judgment.

What's the difference between "seems capable of" and "is capable of"?

"Seems capable of" indicates an impression or observation of ability, while "is capable of" states a definite ability or capacity. The former is less assertive and implies some uncertainty.

Is it correct to say "seems capable to" instead of "seems capable of"?

No, the correct usage is "seems capable of". Using "to" instead of "of" is grammatically incorrect.

When is it appropriate to use "seems capable of" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "seems capable of" when you want to express an opinion or assessment about someone or something's potential or ability, but you're not stating it as an absolute fact. It introduces a degree of subjectivity or observation.