seems not to deter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seems not to deter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing whether something has an effect on discouraging or preventing a particular action or behavior. Example: "Despite the warnings, the harsh weather seems not to deter the hikers from continuing their journey."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

That, however, seems not to deter the governor's many admirers.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

His only interest was in securing justice for his son, and the fact that he was pitting himself against some of the richest and most powerful men in the land, in doing so seemed not to deter him at all.

BBC

Nor has there been much of a downside for Russia as a result of this behaviour: Shell's bruising experience seems not to have deterred others from seeking greater exposure to the energy sector, as ConocoPhillips' recent bid to participate in the Shtokman project with Gazprom demonstrates.

The Economist

But that seems not to have deterred Apple.

TechCrunch

The fact that it's hardly clear that any crime was committed seems not to have deterred the feds, given the formlessness of what constitutes "fraud" under federal law.

Forbes

Sadly, the antics of the current lot seem not to inspire energetic newcomers, but to deter them.

The Economist

The true motive of the death penalty hardly seems a mystery: it's not to deter crime or to wreak vengeance, but to exact retribution for horrific crimes.

The New York Times - Books

Yet, interestingly, this does not seem to deter applicants.

The Economist

But prison does not seem to deter attackers.

The Economist

The arrests do not seem to deter him, though.

The New York Times

The challenge does not seem to deter Starmer.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing "seems not to deter", ensure the subject and object are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For instance, "The high cost seems not to deter buyers" is more direct than "It seems not to deter".

Common error

While "seems not to deter" is grammatically correct, overuse in formal writing can make your prose sound hesitant or lacking confidence. In such contexts, consider stating the lack of deterrence directly, such as "The challenge does not deter Starmer" rather than "The challenge seems not to deter Starmer".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seems not to deter" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a perceived lack of discouragement or prevention. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable. The verb "seems" softens the assertion, indicating an observation rather than a definitive statement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "seems not to deter" is a grammatically correct verbal phrase used to express that something does not appear to be discouraging or preventing a particular action. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usability is well-supported in written English. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, the phrase carries a neutral tone and conveys an observation rather than a definitive conclusion. Alternatives such as "doesn't appear to discourage" or "doesn't seem to prevent" offer similar nuances. While useful for expressing perceived lack of influence, overuse of "seems not to deter" may sound hesitant in formal writing, where a more direct statement might be preferable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

doesn't appear to discourage

Replaces "seems" with "appears" and uses a more direct negative construction.

doesn't seem to prevent

Substitutes "deter" with "prevent", offering a slightly different nuance.

doesn't discourage

Removes "seem", making it a more definitive statement.

fails to dissuade

Uses a more formal verb "dissuade" instead of "deter".

does not inhibit

Replaces "deter" with "inhibit", suggesting a restraining effect.

has no effect on discouraging

Expresses the lack of deterrence more explicitly.

does not put off

Uses the phrasal verb "put off" in place of "deter", indicating a lack of discouragement.

does not intimidate

Replaces "deter" with "intimidate", focusing on a lack of fear-inducing effect.

leaves unaffected

Implies that something remains unchanged or not influenced.

does not daunt

Replaces "deter" with "daunt", implying that something is not frightening or discouraging.

FAQs

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

Use "seems not to deter" to indicate that something doesn't appear to be discouraging or preventing a particular action. For example: "The challenge "seems not to deter" Starmer."

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

Alternatives include phrases like "doesn't appear to discourage", "doesn't seem to prevent", or a more direct "doesn't discourage".

Is "seems not to deter" grammatically correct?

Yes, "seems not to deter" is grammatically correct, although it might sound slightly formal or cautious. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

When is it best to use "seems not to deter" over a more direct statement?

Use "seems not to deter" when you want to convey an observation or impression rather than a definitive conclusion. It suggests that while something might be expected to discourage, it does not appear to be doing so.