they seem to be

USAGE SUMMARY

"they seem to be" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express that there is a perception that something is the case. For example: "They seem to be struggling to adjust to the new normal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

They seem to be thinner.

The New York Times

They seem to be working.

The Economist

They seem to be related.

The New Yorker

They seem to be having an effect.

The Economist

On that, they seem to be silent.

The New Yorker

They seem to be making headway.

The Economist

They seem to be gaga still.

The New York Times - Magazine

They seem to be more relevant now.

Independent

They seem to be doing fine.

The New York Times

Unfortunately even they seem to be biased".

The New York Times

They seem to be quite comfortable".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing "they seem to be", ensure that the pronoun "they" has a clear antecedent to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify the group or individuals you are referring to earlier in the sentence.

Common error

Avoid using "they seem to be" repeatedly in a short span without providing further explanation or evidence. This can make your writing appear vague and unsubstantiated. Vary your sentence structure and provide specific details to support your observations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they seem to be" functions as a hedge, softening a statement. Ludwig examples show it introducing a perception rather than a definitive claim. It's used to express an opinion or inference without asserting it as absolute truth.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

93%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they seem to be" is a versatile phrase for expressing observations or impressions without stating them as definitive facts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. It's most frequently found in news and media, suggesting broad applicability. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by providing sufficient context and avoid overuse. Remember, it indicates an inference or perception, not an absolute truth.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they appear to be

Replaces "seem" with "appear", maintaining a similar meaning of outward indication.

it seems they are

Slightly alters the sentence structure while conveying the same impression.

they look to be

Substitutes "seem" with "look", focusing on visual appearance.

they give the impression of being

More verbose, but emphasizes the subjective impression being conveyed.

they strike one as being

Highlights the subjective feeling or judgment.

one gets the sense that they are

Focuses on the feeling or intuition about their state.

they are perceived to be

Emphasizes how they are viewed by others.

they are understood to be

Highlights a general understanding or consensus about them.

it would appear that they are

More formal and indirect way of expressing a similar idea.

they are apparently

Uses "apparently" to indicate that something is evident but not necessarily certain.

FAQs

How can I use "they seem to be" in a sentence?

Use "they seem to be" to express an observation or impression that something is the case, without stating it as a definite fact. For example, "They seem to be happy with the results".

What are some alternatives to "they seem to be"?

Alternatives include "they appear to be", "it seems they are", or "they look to be", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "they seem to be" formal or informal?

"They seem to be" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The formality of the surrounding language will influence the overall tone.

What's the difference between "they seem to be" and "they are"?

"They seem to be" indicates an impression or observation, suggesting some uncertainty. "They are" states a fact directly, implying certainty. For example, "They seem to be tired" suggests you observe signs of tiredness, while "They are tired" states it as a known fact.