seems to be off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seems to be off" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing that something appears to be incorrect, unusual, or not quite right. Example: "The timing of the meeting seems to be off; I thought we agreed on a different schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Now, all that seems to be off.

The Guardian

That seems to be off the agenda now.

The Economist

But that seems to be off the table.

The Economist

Mr. Oltman seems to be off to a good start.

The New York Times - Arts

And now everything seems to be off the table".

The New York Times

Whatever the president's wishes, demolition seems to be off the agenda.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Unfortunately, the territory of "pinkification" is so sensitive and fraught that it seems to be off-limits as a hook – even one that subverts the stereotypes instead of feeding them.

The Guardian

Our Seattle crew seems to be off-line as well.

TechCrunch

Really, no place or situation seems to be off-limits.

Huffington Post

Not that that seems to be off-putting to Sahil Akhter.

Vice

We seem to be off.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, consider replacing "seems to be off" with more precise alternatives like "appears incorrect" or "malfunctioning" depending on the specific context.

Common error

While "seems to be off" is acceptable, it may sound too informal in academic or professional writing. Opt for alternatives such as "appears to be inaccurate" or "appears to be non-operational" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seems to be off" primarily functions as a qualifier or modifier, indicating a perceived deviation from an expected state or standard. As demonstrated by the Ludwig examples, it describes situations where something appears incorrect, not aligned, or not functioning properly. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Wiki

3%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "seems to be off" is a versatile expression used to convey a sense of something being amiss or not quite right. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide usability. While commonly found in news and media, as well as informal contexts, its neutrality allows for use in various settings, though more formal situations may call for alternatives. The phrase functions primarily as a qualifier, expressing a subjective assessment, with authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employing it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appears to be incorrect

Emphasizes the aspect of being wrong or inaccurate.

seems to be not working

Offers a more direct way to express something isn't functioning.

appears to be cancelled

Focuses on the cancellation or abandonment of a plan or event.

seems to be inoperative

Focuses on a state of not being in operation or functional.

appears to be malfunctioning

Highlights a problem with the functioning or operation of something.

seems to be derailed

Implies a plan or process has gone off track.

appears to be unlikely

Suggests a low probability of something happening.

seems to be unpromising

Suggests a lack of positive outlook or potential.

appears to be distant

Highlights that something seems unlikely or remote.

seems to be fading

Conveys a sense of diminishing or disappearing.

FAQs

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

Use "seems to be off" to indicate something appears incorrect or not as expected. For example, "The timing of the data transfer "seems to be off"."

What are some alternatives to "seems to be off"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "appears to be incorrect", "appears to be malfunctioning", or "appears to be unlikely".

Is "seems to be off" formal or informal?

"Seems to be off" leans towards the informal side. In formal writing, consider more precise and professional alternatives, such as "appears to be inaccurate" or "is not functioning as expected".

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

The phrases "seems to be off" and "appears to be off" are nearly interchangeable. "Appears" might be perceived as slightly more formal, but the difference is minimal.