that appears to be

USAGE SUMMARY

"that appears to be" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce a statement that you expect to be true, but which is uncertain. For example, "The plant appears to be a lily, but I'm not sure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

That appears to be true.

The New Yorker

That appears to be happening to us".

Independent

That appears to be gradually changing.

The New York Times

That appears to be what will happen.

The New York Times

That appears to be Tebow's approach.

The New York Times - Sports

That appears to be incorrect.

The New York Times

MR. UROWSKY -- That appears to be correct.

The New York Times

That appears to be a problem.

The New York Times - Sports

That appears to be their default setting.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

According to epidemiological studies, that appears to be the case.

The New York Times

That appears to be a minority view, however.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "that appears to be", consider the context and audience. In more formal settings, ensure the surrounding language matches the level of formality to maintain consistency.

Common error

Avoid using "that appears to be" excessively in your writing. While useful for indicating uncertainty, overuse can make your writing seem hesitant and lacking in confidence. Vary your language by using other expressions like "it seems to be" or "it suggests that" to maintain a more engaging and assertive tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that appears to be" functions as a linking phrase, connecting a subject with a perceived state or characteristic. It introduces a degree of uncertainty or tentativeness, suggesting that the statement is based on observation or inference rather than definite knowledge. As Ludwig AI explains, it introduces a statement that you expect to be true, but which is uncertain.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that appears to be" serves as a useful tool for expressing tentative observations or conclusions, suitable for a wide range of contexts from news reporting to everyday conversation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability for introducing statements that you expect to be true, but which are uncertain. Its frequent use in news and media underscores its value in presenting information with a degree of caution. While highly versatile, writers should be mindful of overuse and consider alternatives to maintain a balanced and engaging tone. Key alternatives include "it seems to be" and "it looks like".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it seems to be

Changes "appears" to "seems", offering a slightly more subjective feel.

it would seem to be

Adds a degree of formality and speculation.

it looks like

Replaces "appears to be" with a more visual and informal expression.

it seems likely that

Focuses on the probability rather than the appearance.

it suggests that

Implies evidence is pointing in a certain direction.

it indicates that

Similar to "suggests that", but slightly more formal.

it gives the impression of being

Highlights the subjective perception of something.

it would suggest that

Similar to 'it suggests that' but introducing a conditionality and tentativeness

one might conclude that

Changes the emphasis to the possibility of drawing a conclusion.

the evidence suggests

Shifts the focus to the available evidence.

FAQs

How to use "that appears to be" in a sentence?

"That appears to be" is used to express an observation or conclusion based on available evidence, without stating it as a definite fact. For example, "That appears to be the case, given the current data."

What can I say instead of "that appears to be"?

You can use alternatives like "it seems to be", "it looks like", or "it suggests that" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "that appears to be" or "that appears as"?

"That appears to be" is the correct and more common phrasing when indicating a perceived state or condition. "That appears as" is grammatically correct, but much less frequently used and usually refers to a specific representation. An example of the first usage: "That appears to be correct". And here is the second usage: "The problem appears as a small dot on the screen".

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

Both "that seems to be" and "that appears to be" convey a similar meaning of tentative observation. "Appears" often relates to visual evidence, while "seems" can relate to a broader sense of impression. However, in most contexts, they are interchangeable.