seems to know

USAGE SUMMARY

'seems to know' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to express doubt or uncertainty about someone's knowledge of a certain topic or situation. For example, "She seems to know a lot about politics."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Nobody seems to know.

The Economist

He seems to know everybody.

The New Yorker

She seems to know everybody.

The New York Times

The shipping industry seems to know this.

The New York Times

She seems to know everyone who matters.

The Economist

No one seems to know how.

The New York Times

"Romney seems to know his economics, too".

The New York Times

Mr. Garland seems to know the way.

The New York Times - Arts

But nobody seems to know the verses.

The New Yorker

Every Egyptian seems to know that.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

She seemed to know.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seems to know" when you want to express a cautious assessment of someone's knowledge, acknowledging that you might not have all the information to be certain.

Common error

Avoid using "seems to know" when you are absolutely certain of someone's knowledge. In such cases, a more direct statement like "definitely knows" or "is well-informed" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seems to know" functions as a qualifying verb phrase. It softens a statement about someone's knowledge, indicating an impression rather than a definitive fact. This is supported by Ludwig, which provides examples demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "seems to know" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a tentative assessment of someone's knowledge. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a phrase used across varied contexts, particularly in news and media. While its usage is generally acceptable, it's best to avoid it when absolute certainty is warranted. For more formal writing, alternatives like "appears to be familiar with" might be preferable. Remember, "seems to know" implies a degree of uncertainty, making it a valuable tool for nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appears to be aware

Replaces "seems" with "appears", indicating a visual or surface-level assessment of knowledge.

gives the impression of knowing

Focuses on the impression created, rather than a definitive statement of knowledge.

suggests familiarity with

Implies a non-direct indication of knowing something

one would think knows

Introduces a degree of speculation or assumption about knowledge.

appears to understand

Substitutes "understand" for "know", shifting the focus to comprehension.

seems knowledgeable about

Uses the adjective "knowledgeable" to describe the perceived state of knowing.

gives every indication of knowing

Emphasizes the strength of the signals suggesting knowledge.

is seemingly informed about

Highlights that the knowledge is apparent but not necessarily confirmed.

portrays an understanding of

Focuses on the deliberate act of showing knowledge, whether genuine or not.

professes to know

Implies a claim of knowledge that may be insincere or exaggerated.

FAQs

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

You can use "seems to know" to express an impression of someone's knowledge, as in "She "seems to know" a lot about the subject".

What's a more formal alternative to "seems to know"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "appears to be familiar with" or "demonstrates an understanding of" instead of ""seems to know"".

Is "seems to know" appropriate for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, ""seems to know"" might be too informal for some academic contexts. Opt for more precise language when possible.

What's the difference between "seems to know" and "knows"?

"Knows" implies certainty, while ""seems to know"" expresses a degree of uncertainty or a perception based on limited evidence.