would seem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "would seem" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something appears to be the case from evidence at hand, or as a polite way of making an assumption. For example: "It would seem that the concert has been cancelled due to inclement weather."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So it would seem.

The New York Times

Would seem so.

The New York Times - Magazine

It would seem suicidal.

The Economist

Hmmm, that would seem doubtful.

The New Yorker

No matter, it would seem.

The Economist

Now it would seem lame.

The Economist

Not so, it would seem.

The Economist

Or so it would seem.

The New York Times

Which would seem a pittance.

The New York Times

This would seem good news.

The Economist

No fun, it would seem.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "would seem" to express a tentative conclusion based on available evidence. It's more nuanced than a direct assertion.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "would seem" in formal academic or scientific writing. Opt for stronger, more direct statements when the evidence is conclusive to maintain a confident tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would seem" functions as an epistemic modal, indicating a degree of uncertainty or tentativeness in a statement. It softens a claim, suggesting that something appears to be the case based on available evidence, but without absolute certainty. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a usable and grammatically correct way to express an impression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "would seem" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express a tentative conclusion based on evidence. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It functions as an epistemic modal, softening assertions and inviting consideration of alternative interpretations. While versatile, it's advisable to use it judiciously in formal writing to maintain a confident and direct tone. Remember, alternatives like ""appears to be"" or "it seems that" offer similar nuances with slightly different emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appears to be

This alternative directly replaces "would seem" with a more straightforward expression of appearance.

seems to be

Similar to "appears to be", this phrase indicates an impression based on evidence.

it appears that

This restructures the sentence to emphasize the appearance of something being true.

it seems that

This is a very close synonym, simply changing the verb.

one might conclude

This suggests a logical inference based on information.

the evidence suggests

This focuses on the evidence leading to a particular conclusion.

it could be inferred

This highlights the act of drawing a conclusion from evidence.

it is reasonable to assume

This presents the statement as a logical assumption.

as far as one can tell

This adds a degree of uncertainty, suggesting the conclusion is based on limited information.

it gives the impression

This emphasizes the subjective feeling or impression created.

FAQs

How can I use "would seem" in a sentence?

"Would seem" is used to express an inference or impression based on the available information. For example, "It "would seem" that the project is nearing completion."

What are some alternatives to "would seem"?

Alternatives to "would seem" include "appears to be", "seems to be", or "it appears that" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to use "would seem" or "seems"?

"Would seem" implies a slightly more tentative or indirect assessment than "seems". Choose "would seem" when you want to soften the assertion.

What's the difference between "would seem" and "would suggest"?

"Would seem" usually indicates an impression based on observation, while "would suggest" implies a recommendation or piece of advice. The choice depends on whether you're inferring something or proposing an action.