Saying it carefully: appear, tend, seem, would suggest

Examples

1. The figures appear to have been rounded up.

2. People tend to underestimate how long it takes.

3. The evidence would suggest a link rather than a cause.

4. It would appear that nobody read the second annexe.

Common mistakes

• ✗Wrong: The data proves that the policy worked.

  ✓Right: The data suggests that the policy worked.

  At B2 a claim is graded to its evidence; prove almost never survives scrutiny.

• ✗Wrong: It seems that to be a mistake.

  ✓Right: It seems to be a mistake.

  seem to and it seems that are two separate frames; do not mix them.

• ✗Wrong: They tend to be always late.

  ✓Right: They tend to be late.

  tend to already means usually, so always contradicts it.

Practice questions

Try each one yourself first, then open “Show answer” for the solution and the reason.

1. 1Choose the correct sentence.

   1. AThe results are appearing to contradict the earlier study.
   2. BThe results appear to contradict the earlier study.
   3. CThe results appear contradicting the earlier study.
   4. DThe results appear that contradict the earlier study.
   Show answer

   Answer: B The results appear to contradict the earlier study.

   appear takes to plus the infinitive.

2. 2Choose the correct sentence.

   1. AIt would seem the fault to be in the software.
   2. BIt would seem that the fault is in the software.
   3. CIt seem that the fault is in the software.
   4. DIt would seeming that the fault is in the software.
   Show answer

   Answer: B It would seem that the fault is in the software.

   It would seem that introduces a clause.

3. 3Choose the correct sentence.

   1. ACosts tend rising in the second year.
   2. BCosts tend to rise in the second year.
   3. CCosts are tending rise in the second year.
   4. DCosts tend to rising in the second year.
   Show answer

   Answer: B Costs tend to rise in the second year.

   tend to plus the infinitive.

4. 4Fill in the gap.

   The survey _____ that most tenants never complain.

   1. Aindicates
   2. Bindicate
   3. Cindicating
   4. Dis indicate
   Show answer

   Answer: A The survey indicates that most tenants never complain.

   A singular subject takes the -s form.

5. 5Fill in the gap.

   The delay _____ to have been avoidable.

   1. Aappear
   2. Bis appearing
   3. Cappeared to be
   4. Dappears
   Show answer

   Answer: D The delay appears to have been avoidable.

   appears to have been hedges a past judgement.

6. 6Fill in the gap.

   _____ speaking, the two reports agree.

   1. AA broad
   2. BBroadly
   3. CBroad
   4. DBroadness
   Show answer

   Answer: B Broadly speaking, the two reports agree.

   Broadly speaking is a fixed hedging phrase.

7. 7Fill in the gap.

   There is _____ evidence that the scheme reduced waiting times.

   1. Aany
   2. Ba
   3. Csome
   4. Dthe few
   Show answer

   Answer: C There is some evidence that the scheme reduced waiting times.

   some evidence claims less than evidence.

8. 8Fill in the gap.

   The conclusion is _____ overstated.

   1. Aarguing
   2. Barguably
   3. Cargue
   4. Darguable
   Show answer

   Answer: B The conclusion is arguably overstated.

   arguably marks a defensible opinion.

9. 9This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

   Which sentence is wrong?

   1. AThe study proves definitely that the treatment works.
   2. BThe findings are consistent with the treatment working.
   3. CThe study suggests that the treatment works.
   4. DThe study provides evidence that the treatment works.
   Show answer

   Answer: A The study proves definitely that the treatment works.

   A single study rarely supports proves definitely.

10. 10This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    Which sentence is wrong?

    1. ANobody seems to have been told.
    2. BIt seems that nobody was told.
    3. CIt would appear that nobody was told.
    4. DIt seems to that nobody was told.
    Show answer

    Answer: D It seems to that nobody was told.

    The two frames have been mixed.