seems not to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seems not to be" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to express an opinion about something that the speaker believes is untrue or unlikely. For example, "The weather report says that it will be sunny tomorrow, but it seems not to be the case."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

If so, the tactic seems not to be working.

The Economist

"The office status symbol seems not to be as important.

The New York Times

Their lot seems not to be a happy one.

The Economist

He seems not to be joking even a little.

The New Yorker

Also, it seems not to be publicity-friendly.

The New York Times - Arts

The problem seems not to be affecting all users.

Independent

But that seems not to be the case.

The Economist

He seems not to be a person of strategy.

The New Yorker

As of 2010, however, this seems not to be true.

The Economist

She seems not to be aging all that quickly.

The New York Times - Magazine

Our analysis is Safe Harbor seems not to be safe.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seems not to be" to express a tentative conclusion based on available information, acknowledging that further evidence might change the assessment.

Common error

Avoid using "seems not to be" when you have definitive evidence. This phrase is best used when there's still some room for doubt, not when you're presenting a proven fact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seems not to be" primarily functions as a hedge, softening a statement or conclusion. Ludwig AI confirms that it conveys uncertainty or a tentative assessment. Examples show its use in scientific and news contexts to express doubt or lack of confirmation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

51%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "seems not to be" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to convey a tentative or qualified opinion, as indicated by Ludwig AI. It functions as a hedge, softening statements and conclusions. Analysis of its use across various sources reveals that it is commonly found in scientific and news media contexts. While generally neutral in register, it leans towards formality. When writing, remember that this phrase is most effective when expressing uncertainty based on available information, rather than presenting definitive conclusions. Alternatives such as ""appears not to be"" or "is unlikely to be" can be used to subtly shift the nuance of your statement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appears not to be

Uses "appears" instead of "seems", suggesting a slightly more visual or evident observation.

does not seem to be

Inverts the structure for emphasis, highlighting the lack of evidence.

is unlikely to be

Expresses a low probability of something occurring or being true.

is probably not

Adds a degree of uncertainty while still indicating a negative assessment.

may not be

Suggests a possibility that something is untrue, but with less certainty.

cannot be considered

Indicates a rejection or dismissal of a certain possibility or idea.

fails to be

Highlights a deficiency or failure to meet a certain expectation.

is far from being

Emphasizes the distance or difference from a desired state.

is not really

Adds a colloquial tone, questioning the authenticity or validity of something.

turns out not to be

Indicates a discovery that contradicts initial expectations or assumptions.

FAQs

How can I use "seems not to be" in a sentence?

The phrase "seems not to be" is used to express a tentative opinion or conclusion based on the available evidence. For example, "The initial data suggested a correlation, but now it "appears not to be" significant."

What are some alternatives to "seems not to be"?

Alternatives to "seems not to be" include phrases like ""appears not to be"", "is unlikely to be", or "may not be", depending on the level of certainty you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "seems not to be" and "does not seem to be"?

While both phrases express a similar meaning, "does not seem to be" can sometimes carry a slightly stronger emphasis, directly negating the appearance of something. "Seems not to be" is a more subtle and indirect way of expressing the same idea.

Which is more formal, "seems not to be" or "doesn't seem to be"?

"Seems not to be" is generally considered more formal than "doesn't seem to be", which is a contraction and more suitable for informal contexts.