Which one is correct?
"seems not to" or "seems to not"?

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seems not to

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used to indicate that something does not appear to be the case or is unlikely. It is a common construction in English.

Examples:

  • It seems not to be working properly.
  • She seems not to care about the consequences.

Alternatives:

  • appears not to
  • looks not to
  • appears to not
  • looks to not
  • seems like it does not

seems to not

This phrase is correct but less commonly used in English.

This phrase is also used to indicate that something does not appear to be the case or is unlikely. It is grammatically correct but less preferred in everyday language.

Examples:

  • It seems to not be the right solution.
  • He seems to not understand the situation.

Alternatives:

  • appears to not
  • looks to not
  • appears not to
  • looks not to
  • seems like it does not
Both "seems not to" and "seems to not" are correct constructions in English. However, "seems not to" is more commonly used and sounds more natural. Both phrases convey the same meaning, but the former is preferred in everyday language.

Last Updated: March 20, 2024

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