seems troubling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seems troubling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing concern or unease about a situation or observation that appears to be problematic. Example: "The recent rise in crime rates in the city seems troubling and warrants further investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Maybe the property is not intrinsic if whether or not something is an arm or a leg is extrinsic, so perhaps this isn't a conclusive example, but it seems troubling.

SEP

From a sales standpoint, this decision seems troubling.

Huffington Post

This seems troubling in many ways...especially to my friends and co-workers, because right now I'm thinking that my new "definition of privacy" AIN'T GONNA INCLUDE PANTS.

Huffington Post

Though last night the One Direction fandom was able to intervene to help Taylor and possibly others as well, it seems troubling that the fandom is simultaneously elevating the suicidal in the name of helping them.

Huffington Post

"From a consumer protection standpoint, this combination of little sophistication and even less disclosure seems troubling".

The New York Times

"Whatever you say about what he did as a teen-ager," Talbot says, "the way he processes it now seems troubling".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

As she reclines in her hotel suite, Jones seems troubled.

Independent

But even he seems troubled by what may soon be lost.

The Economist

(Nobody involved in fMRI lie detection seems troubled by a ten-per-cent error rate).

The New Yorker

Like many comic writers, he seems troubled, and especially by the attentions of the outside world.

The Guardian - Books

It would not be better for him, because Jojo seems troubled.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "seems troubling", follow it with a specific explanation of why it seems troubling. This provides context and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "seems troubling" as a standalone statement. Always provide supporting evidence or reasoning to justify your concern, otherwise your statement will be seen as baseless or biased.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seems troubling" functions as an evaluative expression, indicating a subjective assessment of a situation or observation. As seen in Ludwig, it conveys a sense of unease or concern about something.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "seems troubling" is a grammatically sound and usable expression for conveying concern or unease. While Ludwig indicates that its frequency is relatively rare, its versatility makes it suitable for both news and scientific contexts. When using "seems troubling", be sure to provide supporting context and justification to strengthen your point. Remember, as Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is perfectly acceptable and can be used with confidence. Consider using alternatives like "appears worrying" or "raises concerns" to vary your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appears worrying

Replaces "seems troubling" with a synonym that conveys concern.

appears disconcerting

Uses a more formal synonym for "troubling", suggesting unease.

looks problematic

Shifts from "seems" to "looks", focusing on the appearance of a problem.

raises concerns

Emphasizes the act of causing worry, rather than the state of being troubling.

gives cause for concern

More explicitly states that something warrants worry.

is a matter of concern

Highlights the importance of the worrying issue.

presents a problem

Focuses on the existence of a problem that needs addressing.

is rather alarming

Uses a stronger adjective to indicate a higher level of worry.

is cause for alarm

Similar to "is rather alarming" but expresses the cause instead of the effect.

evokes apprehension

A formal way to express that something creates a feeling of anxiety or dread.

FAQs

How can I use "seems troubling" in a sentence?

You can use "seems troubling" to express concern about a situation. For example: "The decline in student enrollment "seems troubling", and we need to investigate the cause."

What are some alternatives to saying "seems troubling"?

Alternatives include "appears worrying", "raises concerns", or "is a matter of concern" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "seems troubling" or "is troubling"?

"Seems troubling" implies a preliminary assessment, while "is troubling" suggests a more definite conclusion. Use "seems troubling" when you want to express a tentative concern that needs further investigation.

What's the difference between "seems troubling" and "appears concerning"?

While both phrases convey a similar sentiment, "seems troubling" might suggest a slightly stronger level of unease than "appears concerning". The choice depends on the context and the degree of concern you wish to express.