we seem to be

USAGE SUMMARY

"we seem to be" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something appears to be true, even though it may not be certain. For example, "We seem to be running out of time - let's get started!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

We seem to be headed that way".

The New York Times

So we seem to be stuck.

The Economist

But we seem to be doing O.K.

The New York Times

"We seem to be concentrated.

The New York Times - Sports

We seem to be off.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We seem to be stuck.

The Guardian - Film

So that's where we seem to be.

The New York Times

We seem to be a success.

The Guardian

We seem to be seeing people bleed.

The Guardian

We seem to be getting closer.

The New Yorker

That's where we seem to be.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid overusing "we seem to be" in formal writing; consider stronger, more direct statements when certainty is higher. Alternatives like "we are" or "it is evident that" may be more appropriate in certain contexts.

Common error

Don't use "we seem to be" when you have definitive proof or are making a strong, factual claim. It weakens your statement. For instance, instead of saying "We seem to be the leading provider, according to our sales figures," say "We are the leading provider, according to our sales figures."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we seem to be" functions as a hedge, softening a statement or conclusion. It expresses an observation or a tentative assessment rather than a definitive declaration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates something appears to be true, even if uncertainty exists.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we seem to be" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey a sense of observation or tentative conclusion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it suggests that something appears to be true, though without absolute certainty. It finds frequent use in News & Media, while also appearing in Formal & Business contexts, though its tone is considered neutral. When using the expression you have to take care of using it with strong assertions since it may weaken your statement. For situations demanding more directness, alternatives such as "we appear to be" or "it appears that we are" can be used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we appear to be

Replaces "seem" with "appear", a direct synonym.

it appears we are

Changes the subject and verb for a slightly more formal tone.

it would seem that we are

Adds a degree of uncertainty and formality.

we look to be

Substitutes "seem" with "look", implying a visual assessment.

we are apparently

Uses "apparently" to convey the sense of seeming based on evidence.

we are evidently

Emphasizes that the situation is clear and obvious.

we give the impression of being

Formal rephrasing, highlighting the impression conveyed.

we come across as

Focuses on how "we" are perceived by others.

we are perceived as

More formal way to describe general perception of "us".

it's as if we are

Expresses the situation as a comparison or analogy.

FAQs

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

The phrase "we seem to be" is used to express an observation or a tentative conclusion. For example: "We seem to be running late for the meeting", or "We seem to be making progress on this project".

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

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "we appear to be", "it appears that we are", or "we are apparently" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it more appropriate to use "we seem to be" or "we are"?

Use "we are" when you are certain about something. Use "we seem to be" when you want to express a sense of observation or a tentative conclusion based on available evidence but without absolute certainty.

What's the difference between "we seem to be" and "we used to be"?

The phrase "we seem to be" describes the current apparent state, while "we used to be" refers to a past state or condition. For example: "We seem to be on the right track now", versus "We used to be less organized".