this seems encouraging

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this seems encouraging" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a positive impression or feeling about a situation or outcome that appears to be favorable. Example: "After reviewing the initial results of the project, I must say that this seems encouraging for our future plans."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

This seems encouraging in one way but dismaying in another.

The New Yorker

"No one was debating about who's responsible, and there was no finger-pointing or trying to lay blame". This seems encouraging in one way but dismaying in another.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

So far, the case for setting high-low goals seems encouraging.

Harvard Business Review

Fear, it seems, encourages selflessness, an act that promotes trust.

The Washington Post

Even if Microsoft continues pursuing Yahoo!, the market hardly seems encouraged by the prospect of a proxy fight.

Forbes

Even the ETC Group, although it has not rescinded its call for a moratorium, seems encouraged by recent progress.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Also the secondary study end points of this trial, median PFS (4.0 months) and OS (6.5 months) seem encouraging.

British Journal of Cancer

The results seem encouraging.

The Economist

The new year's words seem encouraging.

The Economist

After 10 months of cochlear implant use, their results seem encouraging.

International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology

Even findings in the Vera report that seemed encouraging turned out to have a troubling subtext.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this seems encouraging" to express cautious optimism based on initial observations or results. It's suitable when you want to avoid overstating confidence but still convey a positive impression.

Common error

Avoid using "this seems encouraging" when the situation is clearly negative or when there's substantial evidence to the contrary. Premature optimism can undermine credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this seems encouraging" primarily functions as an evaluative expression. It offers a preliminary assessment, indicating that initial observations suggest a positive trend or outcome. As per Ludwig AI, it expresses a positive impression or feeling about a situation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "this seems encouraging" is a grammatically correct expression used to convey cautious optimism about a situation. Ludwig AI confirms that it's appropriate for expressing a positive initial impression. While not extremely frequent, it appears in various reputable sources, including news outlets and scientific publications. Its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that your level of enthusiasm aligns with the available evidence to maintain credibility. Alternatives such as ""this looks promising"" or ""this appears hopeful"" can be used to subtly adjust the tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this looks promising

Replaces "seems" with "looks" and "encouraging" with "promising", slightly altering the tone to be more assertive.

this appears hopeful

Substitutes "seems" with "appears" and "encouraging" with "hopeful", conveying a slightly more tentative optimism.

the outlook is bright

Uses a more figurative expression to suggest a positive future.

things are looking up

Employs an idiomatic expression to indicate improvement or a positive trend.

the situation is improving

Focuses on the process of improvement rather than just the feeling of encouragement.

there's reason for optimism

Highlights the justification for a positive outlook.

signs point to success

Suggests that indicators suggest a favorable outcome.

developments are heartening

Replaces "seems encouraging" with "are heartening", indicating that recent developments are uplifting.

the prognosis is good

Uses medical terminology to suggest a positive forecast or outcome.

it gives cause for hope

Indicates that there is a basis for feeling hopeful.

FAQs

How can I use "this seems encouraging" in a sentence?

You can use "this seems encouraging" to express a positive initial assessment of a situation or outcome. For example, "After reviewing the pilot data, "this seems encouraging" for the future of the project".

What are some alternatives to "this seems encouraging"?

Alternatives include "this looks promising", "this appears hopeful", or "the outlook is bright", depending on the context.

Is "this seems encouraging" formal or informal?

"This seems encouraging" is generally considered neutral in formality and can be used in both professional and casual contexts.

When should I avoid using "this seems encouraging"?

Avoid using "this seems encouraging" if the situation clearly warrants stronger language (e.g., "this is fantastic!") or if there are significant reasons to doubt a positive outcome.