seen to be

USAGE SUMMARY

"seen to be" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe an action or a situation that is understood or accepted as being the case. For example, "The new rule was seen to be unfair by many."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Democracy must be seen to be done.

The Economist

Instead they are seen to be impertinent.

The Guardian - Business

Let justice be seen to be done.

The Guardian

"They can't be seen to be shopping.

The New York Times

Justice must be seen to be done.

The Guardian - Opinion

"They are seen to be gangsters, they are seen to be wearing hoodies, they're seen to be getting involved in crime.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

– and seen to be making a positive impact.

The Guardian

The move was accurately seen to be a demotion.

The Guardian

The last must be seen to be believed.

The New Yorker

Bull markets are seen to be incarnations of human perfectibility.

The New Yorker

It has to be seen to be believed.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seen to be" when emphasizing the public perception or appearance of a situation, especially when there's a need to demonstrate fairness, transparency, or adherence to standards. For example: "Democracy must be "seen to be" done."

Common error

Avoid using "seen to be" when a more direct, active voice would be clearer and more impactful. Overuse of passive voice can make your writing sound weak or evasive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seen to be" functions as part of a passive construction, indicating how something is perceived or understood by others. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes an action or situation that is accepted as being the case. Examples from Ludwig showcase its use in emphasizing public perception, such as ensuring justice is not only done but also visibly so.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "seen to be" is a frequently used phrase that emphasizes the importance of public perception, especially in areas like justice, governance, and scientific progress. As Ludwig AI accurately points out, it indicates how something is understood or accepted. Analysis of various sources shows that this phrase is prevalent in news and media, as well as scientific writing. While generally neutral in tone, its frequent use in formal contexts suggests a leaning towards professional settings. When writing, use "seen to be" to highlight how a situation is perceived, ensuring that actions not only happen but are also visibly fair and transparent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perceived as

Focuses on the subjective interpretation or impression of something.

regarded as

Highlights a more formal or considered evaluation of something.

considered to be

Emphasizes a thoughtful or reasoned judgment.

believed to be

Indicates acceptance as truth, often without concrete proof.

understood as

Stresses a common or shared interpretation.

deemed to be

Implies an official or authoritative assessment.

thought to be

Suggests a general opinion or assumption.

known as

Focuses on widespread recognition or identification.

represented as

Indicates a portrayal or presentation in a particular manner.

presented as

Highlights how something is shown or offered to others.

FAQs

How can I use "seen to be" in a sentence?

The phrase "seen to be" is used to describe how something is perceived or understood by others. For example, "Justice must be "seen to be" done" means it's not enough for justice to occur; it must also be evident to the public.

What does "seen to be believed" mean?

"Seen to be believed" means something is so extraordinary or unbelievable that it must be personally witnessed to be fully accepted as true. For example, "This work has to be "seen to be believed"."

What's the difference between "considered to be" and "seen to be"?

"Considered to be" implies a reasoned judgment or evaluation, whereas "seen to be" focuses on public perception or outward appearance. "Considered to be" focuses on evaluation whereas "seen to be" focuses on public perception.

What are some alternatives to "seen to be"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "perceived as", "regarded as", or "considered to be" as alternatives to "seen to be".