seems to be in order

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seems to be in order" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to suggest that something is expected, suitable, or normal. For example: "I have checked all the documents. Everything seems to be in order".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

At first glance, everything seems to be in order.

The Guardian - Film

But its application certainly seems to be in order.

Independent

Jean Nathan New York City A more critical take on Steinem seems to be in order.

The New Yorker

A bigger re-think of the world of work seems to be in order.

The New York Times

Now, with France and Germany signing an American-sponsored Security Council resolution on Iraq, the reverse question seems to be in order.

The New York Times

If Stern's songs are frantic, it rarely seems to be in order to dazzle her listeners with tricks, or even to entertain them.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Some leavening perspective does seem to be in order.

The New Yorker

The insights of a sociologist who deals with sports issues would seem to be in order.

The New York Times - Sports

Policies aimed at similar gains would now seem to be in order.

The Economist

Blackmail would indeed seem to be in order, but Vine is much too cunning to engage in that generic vulgarism.

The New York Times - Books

"It came back just fine, everything seemed to be in order, and I was excited to vote this spring".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer “seems to be in order” over alternatives like “everything is OK” when a more formal or professional tone is needed, as it provides a slightly higher level of assurance.

Common error

While "seems to be in order" is versatile, it can sound overly formal in very casual settings. In informal conversations, consider using simpler alternatives like "looks good" or "everything's fine" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seems to be in order" functions as an evaluative expression, indicating that something appears to be correct, suitable, or properly arranged based on available evidence. Ludwig AI confirms this aligns with standard English grammar and usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

16%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "seems to be in order" is a versatile idiom that conveys a preliminary assessment of correctness or suitability. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and widely accepted in English. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, the phrase maintains a neutral to formal tone, making it appropriate for professional and academic discourse. To enhance writing, consider using "seems to be in order" when you want to convey that, upon initial assessment, everything appears correct or suitable. When composing, be aware of potentially more suitable alternatives like "appears correct" or "checks out", based on context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appears to be correct

Replaces "seems" with "appears", emphasizing a visual assessment of correctness.

everything checks out

Uses a phrasal verb to indicate that something has been verified as correct.

everything looks right

Focuses on the visual aspect, suggesting that there are no visible issues.

seems to be alright

Replaces "in order" with "alright", offering a slightly more casual tone.

appears satisfactory

Highlights that something meets the required standards.

everything is as it should be

Emphasizes that something is in the expected or correct state.

things are in good shape

Indicates that things are in a favorable condition or state.

seems to be functioning correctly

Highlights the proper operational status of something.

appears to be in good condition

Focuses on the state of something being well-maintained or functional.

everything is in its place

Indicates that things are arranged correctly and according to plan.

FAQs

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

You can use "seems to be in order" to indicate that something appears correct or suitable after an initial assessment. For example, "After reviewing the documents, everything "seems to be in order"."

What are some alternatives to "seems to be in order"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "appears correct", "looks right", or "checks out".

Is "seemed to be in order" grammatically correct?

Yes, "seemed to be in order" is the past tense form of the phrase and is grammatically correct. It indicates that something appeared to be correct or suitable at a past time.

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

"Seems to be in order" suggests a preliminary assessment, while "is in order" indicates a confirmed state of correctness. The former implies a degree of uncertainty, while the latter asserts a fact.