this appears to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this appears to be" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express an observation or assumption about a situation or object that is not definitively confirmed. Example: "After reviewing the data, this appears to be the most effective solution to the problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This appears to be it.

The New York Times

This appears to be paying off handsomely.

The Economist

So far, this appears to be working.

The New Yorker

This appears to be happening in Syria.

The New York Times

This appears to be changing slowly.

The New York Times

This appears to be a solid proposition.

The New York Times - Tech

At last, this appears to be changing.

The New Yorker

This appears to be doubtful, however.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This appears to be helping.

The Guardian

This appears to be premature.

The New York Times

This appears to be true.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this appears to be" when presenting an assessment based on available information but without definitive proof. It's ideal for hedging claims or introducing tentative conclusions.

Common error

Avoid using "this appears to be" when you possess conclusive evidence. Instead, opt for stronger statements like "this is" or "this proves to be" to reflect the certainty of your claim.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this appears to be" functions as a hedge, softening a statement to indicate that it's based on an assessment or observation rather than definitive proof. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage for expressing non-definitive conclusions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Academia

24%

Science

22%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this appears to be" serves as a valuable tool for expressing tentative conclusions and observations. As Ludwig AI validates, it's grammatically sound and widely used across various contexts, including news, academia, and science. Consider alternatives like "this seems to be" or "this suggests that" to vary your writing. Remember to reserve "this appears to be" for situations where you want to convey a degree of uncertainty, avoiding it when you have conclusive evidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this seems to be

Replaces 'appears' with 'seems', offering a more casual tone while retaining the core meaning.

this looks like

Substitutes 'appears' with 'looks like', focusing on visual assessment and a slightly more informal style.

this suggests that

Emphasizes the implication or inference drawn from an observation, rather than direct appearance.

this indicates that

Highlights the pointing-to or signaling aspect of the observation, suggesting a clearer connection.

this would indicate

Similar to "this indicates that" but adds a layer of conditionality or hypothesis.

it would seem that

Emphasizes a degree of uncertainty or tentativeness in the assessment.

the evidence suggests

Shifts focus to the underlying evidence supporting the observation, making it more objective.

it is likely that

Expresses the likelihood of something being true, based on available information.

it is probable that

Conveys a sense of probability, albeit slightly stronger than "it is likely that".

one could infer that

Highlights the act of drawing a conclusion, emphasizing the interpretive aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "this appears to be" in a sentence?

"This appears to be" is used to express an observation or tentative conclusion. For example, "After analyzing the data, "this appears to be" the most viable solution."

What are some alternatives to "this appears to be"?

Alternatives include "this seems to be", "this suggests that", or "it would seem that", which all convey a similar sense of observation or tentative conclusion.

Is "this appears to be" formal or informal?

"This appears to be" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The formality largely depends on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.

What's the difference between "this appears to be" and "this is"?

"This appears to be" indicates a degree of uncertainty or observation, while "this is" asserts a fact. Use "this appears to be" when you don't have definitive proof, whereas "this is" implies certainty.