seems set to continue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seems set to continue" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to refer to a current trend or situation that is likely to continue into the future. It implies that the condition or situation is already well established and is expected to persist. Example: With the increasing demand for renewable energy sources, the trend of decreasing reliance on fossil fuels seems set to continue for the foreseeable future.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

And the expansion seems set to continue.

The Guardian

Humphries: "Austerity seems set to continue whoever wins the election.

The Guardian

Guinea's decades-long agony seems set to continue.

The Economist

Deflationary pressure on ad budgets seems set to continue.

The New York Times - Tech

Although China's stainless-steel boom seems set to continue, prices are unlikely to zoom.

The Economist

Mr Molesley's bad luck seems set to continue in episode two of Downton Abbey's fourth series.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

The trends that are making city centres more pleasant to live in seem set to continue.

The Economist

As for the Chechens, their misery and oppression seem set to continue, or perhaps even worsen.

The Economist

Its domination of the city seemed set to continue for a long time to come.

The Guardian - Opinion

The draft text – leaked to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz – suggests that moves that began with the adoption by the UN security council of a resolution condemning Israeli settlement building, seem set to continue right up to Trump's inauguration.

The Guardian

Since Mr Déby Itno's power-base splintered in 2005 he has faced a succession of rebellions based along Chad's frontier with Sudan's troubled Darfur province, and these seem set to continue.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "seems set to continue" with a specific timeframe to add precision. For example, "The upward trend in renewable energy adoption seems set to continue for the next decade."

Common error

Avoid using "seems set to continue" when the outcome is highly uncertain. Instead, opt for phrases like "might continue" or "could potentially continue" to reflect the speculative nature of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seems set to continue" functions as a hedge, softening a prediction about the future. It indicates that current evidence suggests a trend is likely to persist. As supported by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "seems set to continue" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to convey the likelihood of a trend or situation persisting into the future. As verified by Ludwig, it is suitable for various contexts, with primary usage in news and media, followed by science and formal business settings. When writing, use this phrase to describe trends with established momentum, but avoid it in highly speculative contexts. Alternatives such as "appears likely to persist" or "is expected to carry on" can be used to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

looks likely to proceed

Similar to QUERY but replacing "seems" with "looks".

appears likely to persist

Emphasizes the likelihood of continuation with a slightly more formal tone.

is expected to carry on

A more straightforward and less formal way to express continuation.

is poised to endure

Highlights the resilience and lasting nature of the situation.

is predicted to proceed

Focuses on a forecast or expectation of continued action.

is on track to extend

Highlights the current course and its expected continuation.

shows every sign of lasting

Indicates clear indicators that the situation will continue.

is anticipated to maintain

Focuses on the expectation of maintaining a current state.

is forecasted to prolong

Emphasizes the extension of a current state further into the future.

is apt to sustain

Implies a natural tendency for the situation to remain.

FAQs

How can I use "seems set to continue" in a sentence?

Use "seems set to continue" to indicate a trend or condition that is likely to persist, as in "The popularity of electric vehicles "seems set to continue" due to environmental concerns".

What are some alternatives to "seems set to continue"?

You can use alternatives such as "appears likely to persist", "is expected to carry on", or "looks likely to proceed" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "seems set to continue" or "is likely to continue"?

Both phrases are correct, but "seems set to continue" implies a stronger sense of inevitability based on current observations, while "is likely to continue" is a more general prediction.

What does "seems set to continue" imply about a situation?

It suggests that current conditions strongly indicate that a particular trend, pattern, or situation will persist into the future, based on present momentum and factors.