seems to be done

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seems to be done" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something appears to have been completed or finished, often based on observation or assumption. Example: "The project seems to be done, but we should double-check for any final adjustments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

And he seems to be done with it.

The New Yorker

The failings of short-term deployment are well known but nothing much seems to be done.

Independent

And everything seems to be done a bit louder (and with a little more laughter).

The New York Times - Travel

But only a modest amount seems to be done to help the country better withstand the next quake.

The New York Times

Some of that work seems to be done by the local design maven Dora Henger, whose Web site (www.ourstyle.hu) began as a Hungarian-language style blog and expanded to promote the country's fashion designers abroad, bringing Hungarian ready-to-wear items to Paris and Stockholm.

The New York Times - Travel

Nothing seems to be done.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

The book seems to be doing well.

The New York Times

It seems to be doing the rounds.

The Economist

Britain seems to be doing the opposite.

The Economist

"And he seems to be doing it".

The New Yorker

But he seems to be doing better.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seems to be done" when you want to convey that something appears finished based on observation, but without absolute certainty. It allows for the possibility of unseen or incomplete elements.

Common error

Avoid using "seems to be done" if you have concrete evidence of incompletion. Instead, opt for phrases that acknowledge the remaining work or uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seems to be done" functions as a hedge, expressing a tentative assessment of completion. It indicates that something appears finished, but allows for the possibility of remaining tasks or unperceived issues. Ludwig examples confirm its use in contexts where certainty is lacking.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

28%

Wiki

27%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "seems to be done" is a useful phrase for indicating a qualified assessment of completion. As noted by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and appropriate when you want to express that something appears finished but without absolute certainty. It's commonly found in news, scientific, and general contexts, suggesting a neutral register. Remember to use it when you want to express a tentative assessment and to avoid it when you have definitive proof of incompletion. Consider using alternatives like "appears to be completed" or "looks to be finished" for slight variations in meaning or formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appears to be completed

Replaces "seems" with "appears", emphasizing a visual or perceived completion.

looks to be finished

Uses "looks" instead of "seems" to suggest a judgment based on appearance.

appears to have concluded

Substitutes "done" with "concluded", implying a more formal or definitive ending.

gives the impression of being finished

Expresses the idea that something creates an impression of finality, rather than stating it directly.

is seemingly complete

Uses "seemingly" to indicate that the completion is apparent but possibly not absolute.

is apparently over

Replaces "done" with "over", focusing on the ending of an event or activity.

is understood to be finished

Indicates a shared understanding or agreement that something is complete.

is considered complete

Suggests a more formal assessment or judgment of completion.

presents as complete

Implies that something gives the impression of being fully realized or finished.

suggests finality

Abstracts the idea to the suggestion of an end or completion, without directly stating it is done.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "seems to be done" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "appears to be completed", "appears to have concluded", or "is seemingly complete."

When is it appropriate to use "seems to be done"?

Use "seems to be done" when you want to express that something appears to be finished based on observation or available information, but you cannot be completely certain. It implies a degree of uncertainty or provisionality.

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

"Seems to be done" suggests an impression of completion without absolute certainty, while "is done" implies a definitive state of completion. Use "seems to be done" when you're not entirely sure the task is truly finished.

Are there any synonyms for "seems to be done" that emphasize appearance over reality?

Yes, phrases like "looks to be finished" or "gives the impression of being finished" highlight the perceived state of completion more than the actual state.