seems to be wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seems to be wrong" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing doubt or uncertainty about the correctness of something. Example: "The calculation in the report seems to be wrong, and we should double-check it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

But that explanation, too, seems to be wrong.

The Economist

Something seems to be wrong with his head.

The Guardian - Arts

Both he and Girardi insist his left elbow is not sore, but something seems to be wrong.

The New York Times - Sports

Perhaps understandably, the only thing that seems to be wrong with Johnson today is an advanced case of bemusement.

The Guardian - Music

It seems to be wrong that they should be prosecuted for offering scientific advice to the best of their ability".

The Guardian

Those in the security industry, like environmentalists, have an incentive to overstate the risks; meanwhile, to the untrained eye at least, nothing much seems to be wrong.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

(Maybe that's why all those polls seem to be wrong).

The New York Times

We didn't pass it, we made the wrong decisions, everything we did seemed to be wrong," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

"Since I was a child, it always seemed to be wrong, morally wrong, religiously wrong," said Ms. Esty, a Democrat who defeated a four-term Republican, Alfred Adinolfi.

The New York Times

A pulmonology team met each week to talk about the outcomes and to rewrite the protocol when it seemed to be wrong.

The New York Times

But Scott M. Stringer, the borough president of Manhattan, recently noticed that every bus stop sign along Fifth Avenue by Central Park seemed to be wrong: a stop across the avenue was identified as "5 Avenue & West 84 St".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seems to be wrong" when you want to express uncertainty or a tentative disagreement, rather than a definitive statement of error.

Common error

Avoid using "seems to be wrong" when you have concrete evidence of an error. In such cases, a more direct statement like "is incorrect" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seems to be wrong" functions as a hedge, softening a potentially critical statement. It indicates that there is a perceived issue or error, but avoids a definitive declaration. Ludwig examples showcase its use in contexts where certainty is lacking or inappropriate.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "seems to be wrong" serves as a hedge, expressing doubt or uncertainty in a neutral register. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and common occurrence across diverse sources like news media, science, and business. Alternatives such as "appears to be incorrect" and "might be incorrect" offer similar nuances for different contexts. Remember to use it when expressing uncertainty, and avoid overstating a doubt when you have definitive evidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appears to be incorrect

Focuses more on a direct assessment of inaccuracy.

appears to be mistaken

Implies an error in judgment or understanding.

appears to be erroneous

Highlights the presence of error, more formal.

looks to be incorrect

A more casual way of expressing that something isn't right.

seems to be inaccurate

Highlights a lack of precision or correctness.

might be incorrect

Expresses a possibility of error rather than a firm assessment.

could be flawed

Suggests a potential defect or weakness.

is likely incorrect

Emphasizes probability of being wrong.

is probably wrong

Indicates a high chance of being incorrect, less formal.

suggests an error

Points out the presence of a potential mistake.

FAQs

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

You can use "seems to be wrong" to express a tentative disagreement or uncertainty. For example: "The calculation in the report "seems to be wrong", and we should double-check it".

What can I say instead of "seems to be wrong"?

You can use alternatives like "appears to be incorrect", "looks to be incorrect", or "might be incorrect" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "seems to be wrong" or "seems wrong"?

"Seems wrong" is more casual. "Seems to be wrong" adds a layer of tentativeness and is often preferred in formal writing.

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

The phrases ""seems to be wrong"" and "appears to be wrong" are nearly interchangeable. "Appears" might suggest a slightly stronger initial impression based on available information.