which seems to be

USAGE SUMMARY

'which seems to be' is a perfectly acceptable phrase that can be used in written English.
It is used to express an idea that appears likely to be true, but is not certain. For example: "The figures show that sales have increased, which seems to be a positive indication of the success of the new strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Which seems to be the point.

The New York Times

"Which seems to be true.

The Guardian

The spirit of Nelson Mandela, which seems to be extinct.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Others at the event echoed this feeling, which seems to be gaining traction in Russia.

The New Yorker

The recessed lights burn out quickly, which seems to be a wiring issue.

The New York Times

Describes general dissatisfaction with the President which seems to be growing.

The New Yorker

Male arousal (not female, which seems to be pretty constant) is a main theme.

The New Yorker

Visits his house in Vancouver, which seems to be in a forest clearing.

The New Yorker

The young daughter adopts a dog, which seems to be a young man in a costume.

The New York Times - Arts

For the romantics, there's a $20 memento rock – which seems to be a garden-variety pebble.

Independent

Then she caught herself with a philosophical thought, which seems to be a rarity among haulers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which seems to be" to introduce an observation or conclusion that is likely but not definitively proven. It's useful for presenting information with a degree of caution or tentativeness.

Common error

Avoid using "which seems to be" excessively in your writing. Over-reliance on this phrase can make your writing sound hesitant or lacking in confidence. Instead, vary your language by using stronger verbs or more direct statements when the context allows.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which seems to be" primarily functions as a nonrestrictive relative clause introducing an observation or conclusion based on available evidence. It adds a layer of subjectivity or uncertainty to the statement. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use and grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Academia

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which seems to be" is a versatile phrase used to introduce an observation or conclusion with a degree of uncertainty. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal writing. While alternatives like "that appears to be" or "which appears to be" can add nuance, it's important to avoid overuse to maintain writing clarity and confidence. Remember, this phrase is a tool for conveying likelihood, not definitive certainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which appears to be

Replaces "seems" with "appears", focusing more on visual or sensory evidence.

that appears to be

Changes "which" to "that" and replaces "seems" with "appears", slightly altering the focus to a visual impression.

that would appear to be

Adds "would" to soften the assertion, suggesting a tentative conclusion based on available information.

that seems to indicate

Switches the focus to what "seems" to be indicating, rather than the state of being itself.

which suggests that it is

Replaces the phrase with a more explicit indication of suggestion or inference.

which indicates it is

Uses "indicates" to imply a stronger connection or evidence pointing towards a particular conclusion.

what is apparently

Employs "apparently" to convey that something is true based on what is known or visible, often implying a degree of surprise.

that gives the impression of being

Focuses on the impression something gives off, emphasizing subjective perception.

which one can infer is

Specifies that the conclusion is drawn through inference, making the reasoning process more explicit.

it looks like it is

This is a more colloquial way to say something appears to be a certain way.

FAQs

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

Use "which seems to be" to introduce an observation or conclusion that appears likely but isn't definitively proven. For example: "The data shows an increase in customer satisfaction, "which seems to be" a result of the recent improvements".

What are some alternatives to "which seems to be"?

You can use alternatives like "that appears to be", "which appears to be", or "what is apparently" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "which seems to be" or "which is"?

Use "which seems to be" when you want to convey uncertainty or a degree of likelihood, whereas "which is" presents something as a definite fact. The choice depends on the level of certainty you want to express.

What's the difference between "which seems to be" and "which seemed to be"?

"Which seems to be" refers to a present observation or conclusion, while "which seemed to be" refers to something that appeared true in the past. The tense indicates whether the observation is current or historical.