seems impressive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seems impressive" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is a common way to express that something appears to be impressive, but there may be doubt or skepticism about its true level of impressiveness. Example sentence: "The job description for the new position seems impressive, but I'm not sure if I have enough experience to meet the requirements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Sound problems aside, her singing also seems impressive, world-weary but compelling.

The Guardian - Music

These were the names that fenced in the West and allowed America to swagger, a self-sufficient Titan, on to the world stage.Five varieties already seems impressive: but they merely scratch the surface.

The Economist

In 2010 nearly 4m of them got $250 tax-free rebates to help pay for drugs.All that seems impressive, but here's the rub: many Americans do not believe Mrs Sebelius.

The Economist

It may be hard for climate-change activists to admit, but Schwarzenegger's move seems impressive, particularly considering the pressure he faces to ditch environmental concerns to save California's flailing economy.

The Guardian - Opinion

That seems impressive until compared with the numbers for June, when visitor arrivals more than doubled, or May when they nearly quadrupled as tourists returned after the SARS scare of 2003.

The New York Times

A coin, too, bespeaks trust, passing from hand to hand as an abstract signified of value... To one who acquired his sense of money in the Depression, any payment, however modest — fifty-five dollarsaysay, for a poem, or a hundred for a reprint permission — seems impressive.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Those numbers once seemed impressive.

The New York Times

These targets seem impressive.

The New York Times

Ginkgo Bioworks seemed impressive — until GlowingPlant presented.

The New Yorker

In agriculture especially, the cuts seem impressive.

The Economist

My wife walks past and says, "You seem impressive".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seems impressive" to introduce an element of cautious optimism or qualified endorsement. It's ideal when you want to acknowledge something's positive aspects while reserving final judgment.

Common error

Avoid using "seems impressive" as a standalone statement. Always follow it with specific details or reasons why something appears impressive to maintain credibility and provide valuable insight.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seems impressive" functions primarily as a qualifying adjective phrase. It expresses an initial assessment or perception, indicating that something gives an impression of being noteworthy or remarkable but often implies the need for further evaluation or a degree of reservation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "seems impressive" is a grammatically sound adjective phrase used to express an initial positive assessment with a degree of reservation. Ludwig AI confirms this. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for various contexts, but providing context after using "seems impressive" enhances clarity. While alternatives like "appears noteworthy" or "looks remarkable" exist, "seems impressive" remains a versatile and widely used expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appears noteworthy

Focuses on the aspect of something deserving attention or recognition, shifting from general impressiveness to specific noteworthiness.

looks remarkable

Emphasizes visual assessment, suggesting the thing is striking or exceptional in appearance.

gives a good impression

Highlights the positive feeling or perception created, rather than a specific quality of impressiveness.

presents well

Focuses on the manner in which something is shown or displayed, emphasizing its presentation quality.

creates a favorable image

Shifts the focus to the positive image that the subject generates, implying that the image is perceived as attractive.

suggests competence

Indicates an inference of skill or capability, shifting from general impressiveness to specific expertise.

seems promising

Focuses on the potential for future success or positive outcomes, rather than current impressiveness.

looks promising

Highlights visual assessment with a focus on future potential rather than current impressiveness.

has potential

Shifts the focus entirely to future possibilities, implying capability for development.

is seemingly significant

Emphasizes the apparent importance or consequence of something, with less focus on its inherent impressiveness.

FAQs

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

You can use "seems impressive" to describe something that gives a positive initial perception, such as "The candidate's resume "seems impressive", but we need to assess their practical skills during the interview."

What are some alternatives to "seems impressive"?

Depending on the context, you might use alternatives like "appears noteworthy", "looks remarkable", or "gives a good impression".

When should I use "seems impressive" versus "is impressive"?

"Seems impressive" implies a degree of uncertainty or a need for further evaluation, whereas "is impressive" expresses a more definitive judgment based on thorough assessment.

Is it always necessary to qualify why something "seems impressive"?

While not strictly necessary, providing context after stating that something ""seems impressive"" strengthens your statement and offers a more comprehensive evaluation.