does not seem to be vs seems not to be

Both "does not seem to be" and "seems not to be" are correct constructions in English. The choice between them depends on personal preference and style. They have the same meaning and can be used interchangeably.

Last updated: March 28, 2024 • 2640 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"does not seem to be"

This phrase is used to express doubt or uncertainty about something. It follows the structure of a negative auxiliary verb (does not) + seem + infinitive verb.

Examples:

He does not seem to be interested in the project.
She does not seem to be feeling well today.

Alternatives:

does not appear to be
does not look like
does not come across as
does not give the impression of being

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"seems not to be"

This phrase is used to convey the idea of doubt or uncertainty. It follows the structure of the verb seem + adverb not + infinitive verb.

Examples:

The situation seems not to be improving.
She seems not to be listening to what I'm saying.

Show examples from the web [+]

Cannot open the file %1 and load the string list. This file seems not to be a valid old kfr file or it is broken.
File %1 seems not to be written in new kfr format. Remember that the old kfr format will be soon abandoned. You can convert your old rules files by simply saving them with kfilereplace.
The argument concerning the low market share of CSK at a European scale seems not to be relevant.
The addition of interferon-gamma to the tasonermin perfusate seems not to be associated with significant increases in endogenous production of tasonermin or other inflammatory cytokines as shown in patients with severe trauma.
Repayable assistance seems not to be covered by this Regulation.
Unfortunately, this seems not to be the case in the abovementioned countries for the moment.
The guarantee seems not to be in line with the Commission's notice on guarantees.
Nevertheless, at the end of September 2008 this progress seems not to be a reality.
My card entrance seems not to be working.
Following research, this seems not to be the case.
That seems not to be the case, though, with little Willem.
Our world is under threat of a crisis the scope of which seems not to be realized by those in authority...
Up to now this government has also refused to acknowledge these problems and seems not to be doing very much about them.
It is suggested that you keep all lights on... as the creature seems not to be able to stand bright light.
Unfortunately the Vulnerable Load Card seems not to be understood by many police and control agencies in the Member States.
This seems not to be the case, particularly in view of the quantity of information to be conveyed.
The file cannot be loaded, as it seems not to be an RTF document.
It seems not to be the case so we will proceed with the vote on Amendment 1 by roll-call vote.
The DEI plant at Kozani seems not to be included in the list of upper-tier Greek establishments communicated by the Greek authorities.
but it seems not to be implemented properly by Member countries.

Alternatives:

appears not to be
looks like not to be
comes across as not being
gives the impression of not being

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does not seem to be vs seems not to be