seems not to be vs seems to be not

Both "seems not to be" and "seems to be not" are correct, but "seems not to be" is more common and considered more natural in English. On the other hand, "seems to be not" can be used for emphasis or to create a specific stylistic effect.

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Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: March 18, 2025 • 4758 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"seems not to be"

This phrase is used to indicate a lack of certainty or to express doubt about something. It is a common construction in English.

Examples:

It seems not to be working properly.
She seems not to be interested in the project.
The results seem not to be accurate.

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:

doesn't seem to be
appears not to be
looks not to be
isn't seeming to be
is not appearing to be

This phrase is correct but less common in English.

"seems to be not"

This phrase can be used for emphasis or to create a specific stylistic effect. It is less common than "seems not to be."

Examples:

It seems to be not what I expected.
She seems to be not herself today.
The problem seems to be not the software but the hardware.

Show examples from the web [+]

The intention seems to be not to tighten the regulations, but simply to design a system which is slightly less prone to breaking down.
Even though getting a diploma might not be crucial but a bachelor degree seems to be not enough
He seems to be not quite all right in the head.
Racoon seems to be not running.
The Council's attitude in this game of football seems to be not to worry about the ball but to get on with the game.
As far as land-mines are concerned, there seems to be not enough pressure on our political thinking to force a change.
You seem to not be enjoying the parade of possibility.
But the government seems to be adamant about not understanding Kurds' sincere initiative that is open to dialogue.
This seems today to be not only desirable, but also possible.
But the government seems to be adamant about not understanding Kurds' sincere initiative that is open to dialogue.
We seem to be the only people not invited.
She actually seems to be trying pretty hard not to.
They seem to be called Sycorax, not Martians.
You seem to be in charge, not like an assistant at all.
She actually seems to be trying pretty hard not to.
Finally, John Joseph O'Shea. Your first point, Mr Barnes-Williams, seems to be this - you do not like joint enterprise.
You seem to be wrong about her not going out.
You seem to be heading towards, not past.
In all the above referred cases the number of investigators in charge seems to be adequate and is not in question.
Watch the news every day and the world seems to be going backwards, not forwards.

Alternatives:

seems not to be
is not seeming to be
is appearing not to be
is not looking to be
isn't appearing to be

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seems not to be vs seems to be not

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