would seem to be

USAGE SUMMARY

"would seem to be" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing an opinion or deduction. For example, "There would seem to be a problem with the computer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Which would seem to be the point.

The New York Times - Arts

That would seem to be plenty.

The New Yorker

The answer would seem to be obvious.

The New York Times - Sports

Liukin would seem to be the favorite.

The New York Times - Sports

The answer would seem to be no.

The New York Times - Books

That would seem to be the limit.

The New York Times - Food

The answer, for men, would seem to be castration.

Independent

It would seem to be the glass screen.

The New York Times

The stakes would seem to be high for all businesses.

The New York Times

It would seem to be a wide gap.

The New York Times

The reason for this would seem to be reasonably clear.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "would seem to be" when you want to express a deduction or opinion based on evidence, but without stating it as a definite fact. It adds a degree of tentativeness or politeness to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "would seem to be" excessively in your writing, as it can make your prose sound hesitant or verbose. In many cases, a more direct statement might be clearer and more impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would seem to be" functions as an epistemic modal, indicating a degree of uncertainty or tentativeness. It suggests a conclusion based on available evidence, but without asserting it as a definite fact. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase expresses an opinion or deduction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "would seem to be" is a versatile phrase used to express deductions and opinions with a degree of tentativeness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable. Its usage is particularly common in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. When writing, consider using it to soften statements but avoid overuse to maintain clarity and impact. Alternatives include "appears to be" and "seems to be", depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seems to be

A more direct and commonly used synonym, suggesting a conclusion based on available evidence.

it would appear that

Similar to "would seem to be", retaining a formal tone while slightly rephrasing the expression.

appears to be

Indicates a visual assessment or initial impression, focusing on how something looks or presents itself.

suggests that

Indicates that something implies or hints at a particular conclusion, based on evidence or reasoning.

indicates that

Similar to "suggests that" but implies a more definitive pointing to a conclusion.

appears as if

Similar to "appears to be", but slightly more emphatic and implies a stronger visual impression.

it is likely that

Directly expresses a probability or expectation, focusing on the likelihood of something being true.

it may be that

Expresses possibility, but with a slightly weaker level of confidence compared to "it is likely that".

could be

Suggests a possibility or potential explanation, often used when considering different options.

might be

Similar to "could be", indicating a possibility, but with a slightly lower degree of certainty.

FAQs

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

Use "would seem to be" to express an opinion or deduction based on available information, without asserting it as a definitive fact. For example, "There "would seem to be" a problem with the analysis".

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

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "appears to be", "seems to be", or "suggests that".

Is it correct to say "would seem to be"?

Yes, "would seem to be" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in English. It is used to express a tentative conclusion or opinion.

What is the difference between "seems to be" and "would seem to be"?

"Seems to be" is a more direct and common way to express an opinion or deduction. "Would seem to be" adds a slightly more formal or tentative tone.