TextRanch

The best way to perfect your writing.

Discover why 1,062,726 users count on TextRanch to get their English corrected!

1. Input your text below.
2. Get it corrected in a few minutes by our editors.
3. Improve your English!

One of our experts will correct your English.

I don't seem to vs I seem not to

Both "I don't seem to" and "I seem not to" are correct constructions in English, but they are used in slightly different contexts. "I don't seem to" is more commonly used and sounds more natural in everyday language. On the other hand, "I seem not to" can be used for a more formal or literary tone.

Last updated: March 22, 2024 • 6291 views

I don't seem to

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used to express a lack of ability or success in doing something. It is a common way to convey uncertainty or doubt.

Examples:

I don't seem to understand the instructions.
She doesn't seem to like the new restaurant.
They don't seem to be coming to the party.
He doesn't seem to be feeling well today.
We don't seem to have enough time to finish the project.

Show examples from the web [+]

I don't seem to understand what has happened to everyone.
Well, that's funny, 'cause I don't seem to remember getting an invitation to the wedding.
But I don't seem to exist.
I don't seem to recognise anybody.
I don't seem to have any out here.
I thought I knew all of Grandpa's friends but I don't seem to recognize you.
I don't seem to feel anything
I don't seem to be a particularly romantic proposition at the moment.
I can see that was probably very clever, but I don't seem to understand it.
I guess what I'm trying to say is I don't seem to be mourning in the same way as you.
I don't seem to have the same support network I had when, you know, when I had Frankie.
It's just that I don't seem to fit in anywhere, you know?
Director, I don't seem to have said to Ruan.
I don't seem to have that information.
I don't seem to have your name.
I don't seem to need them anymore.
I don't seem to recall that case.
I don't seem to have a bad side.
I don't seem to remember an earthquake on that exact date.
I don't seem to be getting any.

Alternatives:

I can't seem to
It doesn't seem like
It appears that I can't
I'm having trouble
I'm finding it difficult to

I seem not to

This phrase is correct but less commonly used in everyday language.

This phrase is also used to express a lack of ability or success in doing something, but it may sound more formal or literary. It is suitable for more serious or formal contexts.

Examples:

I seem not to have the necessary skills for this job.
She seems not to care about the consequences.
He seems not to understand the gravity of the situation.
They seem not to have considered all the options.
We seem not to be making any progress.

Show examples from the web [+]

I seem not to be ripe for death yet.
I do not seem able to live moderately.
Just because I do not understand seem to encourage Mark and Scott.
I constantly bring this matter up both in writing to the President and to the heads of the political groups. I do not seem to be making much progress but perhaps together we can have another go.
Do I not seem to you now the very model of a fashionable man?
If Mr Prodi claims to have addressed Europe as a whole then he is speaking a load of codswallop, not least in that I do not seem to remember seeing any olive trees sprouting up and growing in countries such as Sweden or Finland.
In my opinion - and I do not seem to be the only one to have this opinion - Toulouse was much more a problem of practical application of the legislation than a problem of legislation being deficient.
That's probably why I seem annoyed.
If I seem rushed, I apologize.
Everywhere I go I seem to break things.
I'm not as dirty as I seem, Joaquin.
I suppose I seem pathetic to you.
Which I applaud even if I seem to disapprove.
I am a little bit more complicated than I seem.
I seem to recall your saying I use people all the time...
I'm sorry if I seem a bit flustered today.
I've lived longer than I seem.
I mean, I seem perfectly normal and sane to you, Edwin...
I have tried and I seem fairly indestructible on that point.
Roger "i seem nice but I'm really mean" shephard.

Alternatives:

I appear to not
It seems that I do not
It would seem that I cannot
I fail to seem to
I am unable to seem to

Related Comparisons

What Our Customers Are Saying

Our customers love us! We have an average rating of 4.79 stars based on 283,125 votes.
Also check out our 2,100+ reviews on TrustPilot (4.9).

"Thank you!"
Sachi Nakama July 2024
"I have literally been through chat, PI, claude, bard and bing and I got conflicting answers! Thank you! Human intelligence reigns!"
Retha July 2024
"Faster than AI"
CYNTHIA December 2023
"This was very helpful and I personally think this site is the best."
Kaden October 2023
"It was extremely thorough and very helpful!"
imperialelisa October 2023
"7 years without any disappointment. Always 100% satisfied. You guys are the best in the world at what you do. Thank you so much :)"
Zubair Alam October 2023
"In a world of text messages and online communication, this is great to have as a live tool. Thank you."
Selena October 2023
"Without textranch I would be stuck!"
宏祐 October 2023
"Accuracy and fast response. Personal comments from editor. Thank you."
Clh September 2023
"I wasn't aware of this service, it's fascinating and more reliable than standard IA tools available on the internet"
Arturo September 2023
"The fact that you can get reliable fast feedback on your texts."
Vinicius Antonio August 2023
"you guys are better than grammarly i'm being honest here"
ordinary July 2023
"OMG! This is really good than any other text correction tools I've used so far. Highly recommend this."
Vehan July 2023
"Very fast and accurate. thank you."
mojtaba July 2023
"I love this app because it's help to writing skills all of students ♥️"
Tarisini July 2023
"This was exactly the mistake I was looking for, the wording dind´t sound right at first. Better than grammarly!"
Ente July 2023
"The immediate help that I received was reassuring and very satisfactory. Thanks."
priiiyanshuu July 2023
"this helps A LOT for my studies."
kathnunez02 June 2023
"Woow!! I would never have expected such precision! Thank you soooo much!!"
Berta June 2023
"Real Time Editor and not AI. Many Thanks."
Priya June 2023
"The very first thing excites me about Textranch is how much your editors care."
sepideh June 2023
"The fact that texts are checked by human editors rather than by AI, etc. I appreciate this!"
Анна June 2023
"Feel welcome, immediate response, high quality feedback"
martin.roy June 2023
"This is the best app that I have ever seen"
Burulai May 2023

Why choose TextRanch?

Lowest prices
Up to 50% lower than other online editing sites.

Fastest Times
Our team of editors is working for you 24/7.

Qualified Editors
Native English experts for UK or US English.

Top Customer Service
We are here to help. Satisfaction guaranteed!