seems precarious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seems precarious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or condition that appears to be unstable or risky. Example: "The company's financial situation seems precarious, and without immediate action, it may face serious consequences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

By contrast, Gooden's jittery hold on sobriety seems precarious at best.

The Guardian - Film

Hadid has made the transition from visionary to builder, but the achievement still seems precarious.

The New York Times - Arts

While his living situation seems precarious and his legal troubles unlikely to go away soon, Mr. Johnson has been anything but resigned.

The New York Times

By the end of "Songs Without Words," she has returned to a similar attitude, even if it now seems precarious and hard won.

The New York Times - Books

But for others, it presumably drives support for gun restrictions: In a time when public order seems precarious, they're a "tough on crime" measure that even liberals can love.

The New York Times

Forcing users across the chasm from iTunes to Beats Music seems precarious, especially with on-demand streaming competitors like Spotify and Google Music looking to pounce on potential customers.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Mr Eisner's position had seemed precarious.

The Economist

The creative industries seem precarious, but being a banker is, too, these days.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

When Geoff, our producer Michael Peyser and I arrived in Argentina in early 2002, the situation seemed precarious.

The Guardian - Film

Their unpleasant profiles seem precarious, as if they were the rear halves of ships that have been cut in two.

The New Yorker

In 2008-9, while the future of some automakers seemed precarious, companies hit the pause button, freezing the development of many planned models.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "seems precarious" with specific details about the situation to enhance clarity and provide context. For example, "The company's financial situation seems precarious due to declining sales and increasing debt."

Common error

Avoid using "seems precarious" when you have concrete evidence of instability. Instead, opt for stronger, more definitive language. "Seems precarious" is best used for impressions, not proven facts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seems precarious" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun, indicating that something gives the impression of being unstable or risky. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, showcasing instances where it describes situations ranging from political climates to personal stability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "seems precarious" is a useful tool for expressing an impression of instability or risk. As Ludwig AI points out, it is grammatically correct and appears across diverse contexts, especially in News & Media and Science. To maximize its impact, pair it with context-rich details and avoid using it when stronger, more decisive language is appropriate. Remember, "seems precarious" conveys a subjective assessment, making it perfect for nuanced observations, but not for definitive claims. It can be replaced with alternatives such as "appears risky" or "looks unstable" for more directness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appears risky

Replaces "seems precarious" with a more direct and concise expression of risk.

looks unstable

Substitutes "seems precarious" with a simpler phrase highlighting the lack of stability.

appears uncertain

Replaces "seems precarious" focusing on the lack of certainty in the situation.

is apparently insecure

Uses "apparently insecure" to indicate a visible lack of security, similar to "seems precarious".

gives the impression of fragility

Rephrases "seems precarious" to emphasize the impression of being easily damaged or disrupted.

presents a shaky outlook

Alters the structure to focus on the "shaky outlook" instead of directly stating precariousness.

carries an element of risk

Changes the phrasing to highlight the inherent risk associated with the situation, similar to "seems precarious".

suggests underlying instability

Focuses on the underlying instability that the situation suggests, akin to "seems precarious".

exhibits potential for collapse

Replaces "seems precarious" with a stronger emphasis on the possibility of failure or collapse.

projects an image of vulnerability

Changes the focus to the image being projected, indicating a state of being easily harmed, mirroring "seems precarious".

FAQs

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

Use "seems precarious" to describe situations or conditions that appear unstable, risky, or uncertain. For example, "The peace agreement "seems precarious" due to ongoing violations by both sides."

What are some alternatives to "seems precarious"?

You can use alternatives such as "appears risky", "looks unstable", or "appears uncertain" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "seems precarious" or "is precarious"?

"Seems precarious" implies an observation or impression of risk, while "is precarious" states a definitive fact. Use "seems precarious" when you want to convey an observation that something presents an element of risk without making a definitive assertion.

What does it mean when something "seems precarious"?

When something "seems precarious", it suggests that its current state is unstable and could easily change for the worse. It implies a sense of unease or potential danger without stating it as a certainty.