what seems like

USAGE SUMMARY

'what seems like' is a valid phrase that can be used in written English.
You can use it to introduce a point or an idea that appears to be true but may not be. For example, "What seems like an easy task has actually proven to be quite difficult."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

What seemed, 10 years ago, to be a sophisticated and stylish alternative to rock and indie music now just looks tawdry and uninviting.

The Guardian

That the eerily cold, partly metal body part weighed what seemed 10 or 15 pounds only heightened its otherworldliness: this was a hand from a distant land.

The New York Times

What Seems Like 3 Days Later, 11 PM, PDT: Well, I seem to have nailed that.

Huffington Post

I've severed links with The Independent on Saturday magazine after what seems like 106 weeks.

Independent

I mean, we're right next to Tokyo, which has what seems like 60,000 shows every night.

The New York Times

You may remember, what seems like 15 years ago, when Donald Trump Jr. took to Twitter to offer a candy-related metaphor.

The Washington Post

Hollywood's long-promised, big-budget Janis Joplin biopic has been in the pipeline for what seems like 30 years now.

The Guardian - Film

But after what seems like 400 debates in which the questions were asked by TV pundits, Tea Party members and ghosts from the Reagan administration, we deserved some levity.

The New York Times

For the first time in what seems like 118 years, Sandler's performance doesn't make you want to ram a wooden stake through his heart.

Independent

It sure is hot up there on the mezzanine, where the music skips along at what seems like 500 beats a minute.

The New York Times - Arts

"Having what seems like 55 debates makes them very good debaters, but I don't know if that makes them the best candidates," said Mark Lundberg, a financial adviser in Orange City, Iowa, who is chairman of the Sioux County Republican Party.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what seems like" to convey a subjective impression or approximation, especially when the exact duration or quantity is uncertain or exaggerated for effect.

Common error

Avoid using "what seems like" when a precise measurement is available or necessary. Opt for accurate figures instead of approximations in formal or technical writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what seems like" functions as an introductory clause that sets up a subjective impression or approximation. It often precedes a description of something that is perceived to be a certain way, even if that perception isn't entirely accurate.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "what seems like" is a grammatically correct introductory clause used to express a subjective impression or approximation. Though not found in exact matches by Ludwig, similar constructions suggest a common usage pattern across various domains. It's suitable for neutral to informal contexts, conveying a sense of perceived duration, quantity or quality. While Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical validity, it's important to consider more precise language in formal or technical writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it would seem

This phrase introduces a statement that is likely to be true based on current information.

apparently

This adverb suggests that something is true based on the available evidence, but without absolute certainty.

as it appears

This alternative focuses on the appearance of something, emphasizing a visual assessment rather than a perceived duration or quantity.

to all appearances

Similar to 'as it appears', this highlights the visual or superficial impression of a situation.

on the face of it

This idiom indicates that something appears to be a certain way at first glance.

ostensibly

This single word provides a formal way to express that something is presented as being true, but may not actually be the case.

as far as one can tell

This phrase emphasizes the limitation of one's knowledge or perspective in making an assessment.

by all accounts

This suggests that something is true based on multiple reports or testimonies.

at first blush

Similar to 'on the face of it', this idiom conveys an initial impression that may not be accurate upon closer inspection.

superficially

This adverb describes something that is only apparent on the surface, without deeper examination.

FAQs

How can I use "what seems like" in a sentence?

Use "what seems like" to describe something that appears to be a certain way, often exaggerating time or quantity for effect. For example, "After waiting in line for what seems like hours, we finally reached the entrance".

What's a good alternative to "what seems like"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "apparently", "ostensibly", or "it would seem".

Is it appropriate to use "what seems like" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "what seems like" is generally more suitable for informal or narrative writing where subjective impressions are common. In formal contexts, consider more precise language or alternatives like "apparently" or "ostensibly".

What's the difference between "what seems like" and "what appears to be"?

"What seems like" often implies a subjective exaggeration of time or quantity, while "what appears to be" focuses more on visual or superficial impressions. For example, "what seems like hours" emphasizes the perceived length of time, whereas "what appears to be a mistake" highlights a potential error based on available information.