it doesn't seem to work vs it seems not to be working

Both phrases are correct and convey a similar meaning. They're interchangeable and can be used depending on personal preference or style. They both express doubt or uncertainty about something's functionality.

Explained by Miss E.
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: August 17, 2024 • 28504 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"it doesn't seem to work"

This phrase is used to express doubt or uncertainty about the functionality of something. It implies that something is not working as expected.

Some examples from our editors:

I've tried everything, but it doesn't seem to work.
The new software doesn't seem to work on my computer.

Show examples from the web [+]
Last updated: November 19, 2024

May 3, 2014 ... It doesn't seem to work for me" would be the same meaning. "It seems to not be working" would also be the same though applied to 'it' not ...
Jan 11, 2019 ... “ it doesn't seem to work. “ you are stating that something does not appear to work. and it sounds natural. “ it seems not to work ...
Jun 26, 2015 ... It doesn't seem to work. I don't know which of these sentences is right—or if they are both correct, what the difference is between them ...
Nov 10, 2024 ... It doesn't seem to work. Question. So, I just built a new pc and wanted to gather up all my HB purchases. But every time I try Bulk Download ...
Nice email client but it doesn't seem to work · Mail · giskard October 15, 2021, 3:47pm 1. I'm using the latest free version with 2 email accounts, ...
I've set up a filter but it doesn't seem to work · How To · airtable · onthemoonandtheearth June 24, 2024, 8:23pm 1. Hi all,. I could use some help with an ...
Jul 16, 2024 ... UCC27282-Q1: I'm trying to make a flying capacitors active battery balancer, but it doesn't seem to work. How should I connect the parts ...
Jul 31, 2015 ... How to Write a Great Article Even When It Doesn't Seem to Work · This time I did something different... · More articles by this author · Insights ...
It doesn't seem to work as intended · RemNote Learning RemNote · Remi July 10, 2022, 12:53am #1. I have tried to make it work in any way I could think, but it ...
White Cross (maybe for stop navigation): what is it for, and it doesn't seem to work. Ludovico84 17 days ago. The white cross on red background that appears ...

Some alternatives from our editors:

it appears not to work
it doesn't appear to be working
it doesn't look like it's working
it doesn't seem to be functioning

This phrase is correct and can be used in English.

"it seems not to be working"

This phrase is also used to express doubt or uncertainty about the functionality of something. It suggests that something is currently not working as expected.

Examples:

I checked the machine, and it seems not to be working properly.
The system seems not to be working as it should.

Show examples from the web [+]
Last updated: October 31, 2024

Jun 14, 2007 ... The sentence It seems not to be working doesn't seem like correct English to me because seem should not be followed by a negation.
May 3, 2014 ... Is there any difference in meaning between: It seems not working for me. It doesn't seem work for me. It seems not to be working. Please ...
Jan 22, 2020 ... Thanks, but unfortunately it seems not to be working with the O365 URL (both as-is and with download=1 after ?). I get the message: could ...
Jul 12, 2021 ... ... it seems not to be working as in previous versions, very slow. Did ... It takes a lot of time to respond to commands, like chancging scale, and ...
May 3, 2024 ... It's something I've done many times and it worked just fine, but it seems not to be working anymore: the footnotes links do have the ...
Sep 20, 2019 ... This used to work for me in previous Safari versions also but it seems not to be working in version 13.01 of Safari. Such a frustration ...
Nov 28, 2020 ... Hi, I used the template but it seems not to be working. I also tried it with the construct URL, but it was not working as well. Please find ...
Feb 28, 2021 ... But it seems not to be working. Solved. Solution: Script requires ".sh" in the filename. Hi I have Manjaro KDE Plasma installed and want to ...
Feb 16, 2020 ... It seems not to be working while http://admin.domain.com:3000 works as i have already set up the dns. Not sure if i was able to explain it ...
May 24, 2015 ... but now it seems not to be working. Why would a directory in the Ignore options still show? cpt_paranoia May 24, 2015, 3:03pm 4. Ah… Then I ...

Alternatives:

it doesn't seem to work
it appears not to be functioning
it seems to be malfunctioning
it doesn't look like it's working

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it doesn't seem to work vs it seems not to be working

"it doesn't seem to work"

"it seems not to be working"

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