which seem to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which seem to be" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to introduce an opinion or belief. For example: "The flowers in my garden, which seem to be a different color every day, are so beautiful."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Which seem to be most profitable, and why?

The New York Times

It's contingent upon the continuation of the job numbers, which seem to be forming a pattern.

The New York Times

I just never knew.The book builds up to the Olympics, which seem to be pretty anticlimactic.

The Economist

Fiat, Ford, Opel and Peugeot, all of which seem to be squeezed from above and below.

The New York Times

He said he relied on the basics, which seem to be working for the Diamondbacks.

The New York Times

The home truths which seem to be more universal than anything I've read recently.

Independent

Which answers seem to be based on opinion and which seem to be based on facts?

The New York Times

What they do notice are prices, which seem to be rising.

The New York Times

"There was bondage, beating and domination which seem to be typical of S&M behaviour.

The Guardian

Entities which seem to be the product of a few individuals do not display the necessary degree of permanence.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

In Twitter years, which seem to be even longer than dog years, that was a lifetime ago.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which seem to be" to introduce an observation or inference that is based on available evidence but not definitively proven. It adds a nuance of possibility and avoids stating something as an absolute fact.

Common error

Avoid using "which seem to be" excessively without providing supporting details or context. Ensure that the seeming quality or state is based on some form of observable evidence or logical inference, rather than purely subjective opinion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which seem to be" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun or noun phrase by providing additional, non-essential information. It introduces an observation or inference based on available evidence, indicating an apparent or perceived quality or state. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

37%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which seem to be" is a versatile phrase used to introduce observations or inferences without stating them as definitive facts. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and very common across diverse contexts. It is frequently used in news, science, and academic writing. When employing this phrase, ensure that the seeming quality or state is based on some form of evidence or logical deduction, avoiding overuse without support. Alternatives include "that appear to be" or "that suggest they are", depending on the intended nuance. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that appear to be

Replaces "which seem" with a synonym, focusing on visual appearance or impression.

that seem like they are

Uses "like" to indicate resemblance, making the tone slightly more informal.

that appear as if they are

Adds emphasis on the impression conveyed, slightly lengthening the phrase.

that are seemingly

Replaces the verb phrase with an adverb, offering a more concise expression.

that suggest they are

Shifts focus to implication rather than direct appearance or seeming.

that ostensibly are

Uses "ostensibly" to indicate something is presented or appears a certain way, possibly concealing a different reality.

that appear to exemplify

More specific; suggests something is a typical example or demonstration.

that purportedly are

Uses "purportedly" suggesting the information is claimed to be true but may not be.

that imply they might be

Introduces a higher degree of uncertainty or indirectness.

that could be described as

Frames the phrase as a description, adding a level of subjective interpretation.

FAQs

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

Use "which seem to be" to describe something based on an observation or impression. For example, "The problems, "which seem to be" interconnected, require a complex solution."

What phrases are similar to "which seem to be"?

Similar phrases include "that appear to be", "that suggest they are", or "that could be described as". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a more formal alternative to "which seem to be"?

A more formal alternative is "that ostensibly are", which implies a surface-level appearance that may conceal a different reality.

When is it appropriate to use "which seem to be"?

It's appropriate when you want to present something as an observation or inference, rather than a definitive fact. It introduces a degree of possibility or uncertainty, suitable for contexts where complete evidence is lacking.