seems designed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seems designed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing an impression or observation that something appears to have been intentionally created or structured in a certain way. Example: "The layout of the website seems designed to enhance user engagement and accessibility."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

None, alas, seems designed to help hone negotiating skills.

The New York Times

The campus, in fact, seems designed to nurture such success.

The New Yorker

InBloom seems designed to nudge schools toward maximal data collection.

The New York Times

The visitor's locker room, by contrast, seems designed for discomfort.

The New York Times

The system almost seems designed to keep driving up costs.

The New York Times

Her monotone delivery seems designed to confuse people.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This is the view that "Revelations" seems designed to rebut.

The New Yorker

"It just seems designed to go on punishing people forever".

The New York Times

The brain seems designed to absorb things very rapidly".

The New York Times - Science

"Molière," in contrast, seems designed for immediate obsolescence.

The New York Times

It seems designed only to delay the inevitable.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "seems designed", ensure the context clearly supports the inference of intentional design, rather than mere coincidence. For example, "The software interface "seems designed" for ease of use" suggests a deliberate effort in usability.

Common error

Avoid using "seems designed" when there is little or no evidence to suggest a deliberate plan or intention. For example, saying "The weather "seems designed" to ruin our picnic" is inappropriate, as weather is not typically planned or designed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seems designed" primarily functions as a subjective assessment. It indicates an impression or opinion about the intent behind the design of something, rather than stating an objective fact. Ludwig confirms its correct and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Formal & Business

9%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

4%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "seems designed" is a versatile phrase used to express an impression that something has been intentionally created for a specific purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage, particularly within News & Media. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, writers should ensure that its use is supported by contextual evidence to avoid overstating intent. Alternatives such as "appears intentionally crafted" or "looks purposefully constructed" offer nuanced variations in meaning. When using "seems designed", strive for clarity and avoid ambiguous or unsubstantiated claims about intentionality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appears intentionally crafted

Replaces "seems" with "appears" and "designed" with "intentionally crafted", emphasizing the intentional aspect of the design.

looks purposefully constructed

Uses "looks" instead of "seems" and "purposefully constructed" to highlight the deliberate construction.

gives the impression of being planned

Shifts the focus to the impression created, using "planned" to convey the design aspect.

suggests a deliberate arrangement

Emphasizes the arrangement aspect, implying a thoughtful design.

presents as intentionally structured

Focuses on the presentation and intentional structuring.

gives the feeling of being engineered

Uses "engineered" instead of "designed" to add a technical connotation.

seems to be tailored for

Indicates a specific purpose or target for the design.

appears to have been conceived for

Highlights the conception or idea behind the design.

has the earmarks of a planned approach

Uses a more idiomatic expression to suggest a deliberate plan.

is suggestive of a purposeful layout

Emphasizes the layout and its purposefulness.

FAQs

How can I use "seems designed" in a sentence?

You can use "seems designed" to express the impression that something was intentionally created for a specific purpose. For example, "The marketing campaign "seems designed" to appeal to younger audiences."

What are some alternatives to "seems designed"?

Alternatives include phrases like "appears intentionally crafted", "looks purposefully constructed", or "gives the impression of being planned", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "seems designed" versus "is designed"?

"Seems designed" implies an observation or impression, while "is designed" states a fact. Use ""seems designed"" when you're inferring intent, and "is designed" when you have direct knowledge or evidence of the design's purpose.

Is "seems designed" formal or informal?

"Seems designed" is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, consider the surrounding language to ensure it matches the overall tone of your writing.