unless it seems

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unless it seems" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce a condition that negates or modifies a statement based on a perception or appearance. Example: "I will proceed with the plan unless it seems that the risks outweigh the benefits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Unless, it seems, if that woman is Kim Kardashian.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But European law gives workers more rights, and French workers are among the most protected in Europe — unless, it seems, they work for an American university.

The New York Times

But European law gives workers more rights, and French workers are among the most protected in Europe — unless, it seems, if they work for an American university.

The New York Times

Unless, it seems, you are a music promoter from Manchester in the UK and the alleged go-between for Donald Trump's election campaign and the Kremlin.

The Guardian

Unless, it seems, you're Manchester United, in whose slightly troubled shadow a vibrant, vigorous, youthfully progressive nostalgia scene has mushroomed in recent times.

The Guardian - Sport

It isn't often that The Journal of the American Medical Association publishes results of a "study" conducted by a 9-year-old girl and her mother -- unless, it seems, those results support the A.M.A.'s political position against holistic methods (Week in Review, April 5; letter, April 5).

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Until about 15 years ago you couldn't really get help unless, it seemed to me, you were of a certain clique or social group.

The Guardian

But he has told his investors, who want him to focus his attention on USA Interactive's Internet operations, that he would not make a move unless it seemed "opportunistic" to do so.

The New York Times

For a given Quicken query we generally used the default choice, unless it seemed clearly wrong.

Forbes

Rolling seems to be a favorite (unless it's something denim, it seems), either around a cylinder, or stuffing things in actual paper towel and toilet paper tubes.

Huffington Post

Women can do anything we want now, it seems, unless we aim too high.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unless it seems", ensure the 'it' clearly refers to a previously mentioned subject or situation to avoid ambiguity. For example, "I will proceed with the experiment, unless it seems that the data is compromised."

Common error

Avoid using plural verbs with "it" in the phrase. It's grammatically incorrect to say "unless it seem". Always use the singular form, "unless it seems".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unless it seems" functions as a conditional conjunction, introducing a condition that must be met to prevent the main clause from occurring. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the structure is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

25%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unless it seems" is a grammatically sound phrase used to introduce a condition that depends on an apparent state. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is valid and appears across various sources, especially in news and media. To ensure clarity, make sure the "it" refers clearly to a previously mentioned subject. Remember to use the singular verb form "seems", and consider alternatives like "unless it appears" for slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unless it appears

Replaces "seems" with "appears", focusing on outward presentation.

unless it looks like

Uses "looks like" for a more visual or evident impression.

unless it is perceived

Emphasizes the act of perceiving as the condition.

unless it gives the impression

Highlights the creation of an impression.

except if it seems

Replaces "unless" with "except if" for a slightly different emphasis.

unless it feels like

Uses "feels like" to denote a subjective experience.

unless it suggests

Focuses on implication or intimation.

unless it indicates

Highlights the act of pointing something out.

unless observation suggests

Highlights the act of suggesting by observation.

unless current evidence suggests

Highlight reliance on actual evidence instead of perception.

FAQs

How can I use "unless it seems" in a sentence?

Use "unless it seems" to introduce a condition that negates a previous statement based on how things appear. For example, "We'll continue the project, unless it seems that the budget is insufficient".

What phrases are similar to "unless it seems"?

Alternatives include "unless it appears", "unless it looks like", or "except if it seems", each offering a slightly different nuance.

Is it correct to say "unless it seem" instead of "unless it seems"?

No, "unless it seem" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "unless it seems", as "it" is a singular pronoun requiring a singular verb form.

What is the difference between "unless it seems" and "although it seems"?

"Unless it seems" introduces a condition that prevents something from happening based on appearance. "Although it seems", conversely, acknowledges an apparent truth but introduces a contrasting idea.