seems to

USAGE SUMMARY

"seems to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use "seems to" to suggest that something is likely to be true, even though there is not definitive proof to back that up. For example, "The new law seems to have been effective in reducing crime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It seems to.

The New York Times

Everyone seems to die.

The New York Times

Lev seems to.

The New Yorker

Or seems to be.

The New Yorker

"Nothing seems to progress".

The New York Times - Arts

Nobody seems to mind.

The New York Times

Rubio seems to agree.

The New Yorker

Nobody seems to know.

The Economist

It seems to work.

The New York Times - Sports

Samson seems to struggle.

The New Yorker

Nothing else seems to.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seems to" when you want to express an opinion based on observation or limited information, avoiding definitive statements.

Common error

Avoid using "seems to" when you have concrete evidence. Opt for stronger verbs like "proves", "demonstrates", or "confirms" to reflect the certainty of your claim.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seems to" functions as an auxiliary verb followed by a main verb. It introduces a degree of uncertainty or subjectivity to a statement, indicating that something appears a certain way based on available information, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "seems to" is a versatile phrase used to express impressions, opinions, or tentative conclusions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used, especially in news and media contexts. When writing, leverage "seems to" to convey information without asserting absolute certainty. Be aware of the context and consider stronger verbs if you have definitive evidence. Remember to use "seems to" when you want to express an opinion based on observation or limited information. Avoid stronger verbs when you have definitive evidence. The alternatives "appears to be" or "suggests that" may add precision to your writing, depending on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appears to be

Replaces "seems" with "appears", emphasizing a visual impression or surface-level observation.

it would seem

Emphasizes the speaker's perspective and adds a touch of formality.

gives the impression of

Indicates a subjective feeling or perception based on available evidence.

suggests that

Implies a hint or indirect indication, rather than a direct observation.

would appear to

Adds a degree of formality or tentativeness to the observation.

it is likely that

Focuses on the probability or chance of something being true.

one might infer

Highlights the act of drawing a conclusion based on reasoning.

by all accounts

Indicates reliance on multiple sources of information to form an impression.

as far as one can tell

Highlights the limitation of one's knowledge or ability to assess the situation.

on the face of it

Highlights the initial or superficial appearance of something.

FAQs

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

Use "seems to" to express an opinion or observation that is not a definitive fact. For example, "He "seems to" be tired" suggests you think he is tired, but you're not entirely sure.

What are some alternatives to "seems to"?

You can use alternatives like "appears to be", "suggests that", or "gives the impression of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "seems to" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, in formal writing, consider whether a more definitive statement is possible. If you have strong evidence, a stronger verb might be more suitable. If you have no strong evidence, consider "it would seem" or similar alternative to maintain the formal tone.

What's the difference between "seems to be" and "is"?

"Is" indicates a definite fact, while "seems to be" indicates an impression or likelihood. "The sky is blue" is a fact; "The sky seems to be blue" suggests the color might be affected by weather or other factors.