that seems promising

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that seems promising" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to express optimism about a situation or suggest that something looks like it will be successful. For example, "I just had a job interview and it went really well; that seems promising."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

But given the scale of Medicare's long-term budget shortfall, the only sensible strategy is to try anything that seems promising.

The New York Times

The idea of geting people to play a monthly fee, that seems promising.

TechCrunch

One reform that seems promising is forcing research reports to disclose what percentage of the bank's research reports include "buy" recommendations and what percentage recommend "sell" or "hold".

Forbes

Think of it as a cross between a traditional console and a Game Boy, an approach that seems promising considering the Game Boy and the DS handhelds have sold in excess of 100 million units each.

Vice

Furthermore, it presents a structured data-collection procedure that seems promising in deriving DWs from general-population surveys.

Alcohol research : current reviews

The Disease Burden Morbidity Assessment (DBMA) is a self-report questionnaire that seems promising in this respect [ 3].

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

This time, that seemed promising — another problem might be different".

The New York Times

But as OWN demonstrates, cable plans that seem promising can be tricky.

The New York Times

So, if a fellow Republican were put off enough to cancel a speaking invitation for Trump, that seemed promising.

The New Yorker

They also know too well that some drugs that seemed promising emerged as useless, or even dangerous, when subjected to the agency's scrutiny.

The New York Times

New approaches that seem promising include parenting programmes that encourage men to be more engaged caregivers, such as MenCare's fatherhood campaign.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that seems promising" to express cautious optimism rather than a guarantee of success. It's suitable when there's a positive indication but uncertainty remains.

Common error

Avoid using "that seems promising" when the outcome is already assured. It's best suited for situations where potential exists but the result is not yet definitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that seems promising" functions as a comment or assessment, indicating a positive but not definitive outlook. As Ludwig AI confirms, it expresses optimism. The "that" refers to a previous statement, situation, or action.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that seems promising" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to convey cautious optimism. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness for expressing a positive outlook that is not yet certain. While not extremely frequent, it appears commonly in News & Media and Scientific sources, suggesting a neutral register appropriate for various contexts. To provide additional nuance in your writing, consider using alternatives such as "that holds promise" or "that looks encouraging", while avoiding its use when the outcome is already guaranteed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that holds promise

A more concise and direct way of expressing the potential for success.

that looks encouraging

Substitutes "seems promising" with a focus on visual perception of a positive sign.

that sounds encouraging

Similar to "that looks encouraging", but focuses on auditory perception of positive sign.

that has potential

Emphasizes the inherent possibility for future success or development.

that appears favorable

Replaces "seems promising" with a more formal term indicating a positive trend.

that bodes well

Replaces "seems promising" with a more formal idiom indicating a positive future outcome.

that is a hopeful sign

Similar to "that is a good sign", but with a slightly stronger emphasis on hope.

that is a good sign

Highlights the phrase as an indicator of a favorable situation.

that gives reason for optimism

More elaborate rephrasing, underscoring the positive outlook.

that suggests a bright future

Focuses on the long-term positive implications of the situation.

FAQs

How can I use "that seems promising" in a sentence?

You can use "that seems promising" to express optimism about a potential outcome. For example, "The initial results are positive; "that seems promising"."

What's a more formal alternative to "that seems promising"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "that bodes well" or "that appears favorable".

How does "that holds promise" differ from "that seems promising"?

"That holds promise" and "that seems promising" are largely interchangeable, but the former emphasizes inherent potential, while the latter focuses on current positive indications. Both express optimism, but "that holds promise" may suggest a longer-term outlook.

When is it inappropriate to use "that seems promising"?

Avoid using "that seems promising" when the outcome is already guaranteed or certain. It's best suited for situations where there's a positive indication but uncertainty remains. Using it in a guaranteed outcome would be misleading.