seems incredible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seems incredible" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing disbelief or astonishment about a situation or statement that appears hard to believe. Example: "The news about the discovery of a new species in the city seems incredible, but the scientists have provided substantial evidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

To me this seems incredible, and also incredibly brave.

The Guardian

This seems incredible to me.

The Guardian - Money

"Seems incredible… Don't blow a gasket".

The Guardian - Business

It seems incredible that anything could have been built there.

The Guardian - Travel

It seems incredible that boxing brought two warring communities together.

The Guardian - Sport

(It seems incredible now that mass-production of food once shifted with the seasons).

The New York Times

It still seems incredible, but after just 24 minutes of a derby, Newcastle had lost.

Independent

It seems incredible that Shambroom was allowed to photograph these things, especially the warheads.

The New York Times - Books

Now it seems incredible given the turn around in fortunes at Stamford Bridge.

The Guardian - Sport

It seems incredible today that this great masterpiece should have hung fire.

The Guardian - Music

It seems incredible to say this but Richmond is probably the jewel in the SPHL's crown.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seems incredible" when you want to express surprise or disbelief about something that contradicts expectations or prior knowledge. It effectively conveys your astonishment.

Common error

Avoid overusing "seems incredible" in highly formal or academic writing. While acceptable, consider stronger or more precise vocabulary to convey incredulity depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seems incredible" functions as an evaluative expression, conveying the speaker's or writer's strong sense of disbelief or amazement. Ludwig AI's analysis of numerous examples confirms its role in highlighting unexpected or hard-to-believe situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "seems incredible" is a versatile expression used to convey surprise and disbelief. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and very common, particularly in News & Media. While generally neutral in register, writers should consider more formal alternatives for academic contexts. When expressing disbelief or astonishment, "seems incredible" is a reliable and effective choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appears unbelievable

Uses "appears" instead of "seems", suggesting a slightly more visual assessment of incredibility.

sounds astonishing

Emphasizes the surprising nature of something heard, rather than seen or understood.

is hard to believe

Directly states the difficulty in accepting something as true.

defies belief

Suggests something goes beyond the limits of what one can accept as possible.

is beyond comprehension

Highlights the lack of understanding rather than disbelief.

is simply unimaginable

Focuses on the inability to picture or conceive of something.

stretches credulity

Implies that believing something requires a significant leap of faith.

is a tall tale

Suggests that something is exaggerated or fabricated.

beggars description

Indicates that something is so extraordinary that it is difficult to describe adequately.

borders on the absurd

Suggests that something is close to being ridiculous or nonsensical.

FAQs

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

You can use "seems incredible" to express disbelief or surprise about a situation. For example, "It "seems incredible" that he finished the marathon after only a week of training".

What are some alternatives to "seems incredible"?

Some alternatives to "seems incredible" include "appears unbelievable", "sounds astonishing", or "is hard to believe" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "seems incredible" formal or informal?

"Seems incredible" is generally considered neutral and appropriate for a wide range of contexts, including news, casual conversation, and some business settings. More formal alternatives might be preferred in academic writing, such as "defies belief".

What's the difference between "seems incredible" and "seems improbable"?

"Seems incredible" expresses a stronger sense of disbelief or astonishment, suggesting that something is difficult to believe. "Seems improbable" indicates that something is unlikely but still within the realm of possibility.