what appears vs what it appears

Both "what appears" and "what it appears" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "What appears" is used to ask about something that is visible or evident, while "what it appears" is used to introduce a clause that explains a situation or appearance.

Last updated: March 22, 2024 • 768 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"what appears"

This phrase is used to inquire about something that is visible or evident.

Examples:

What appears to be a simple task can sometimes be quite challenging.
Can you tell me what appears to be the problem here?

Show examples from the web [+]

He shows the stewardess what appears to be a bomb.
We are getting reports on what appears to be a mass cleansing.
Even if Dr. Beckett comes up with what appears to be a long-term solution...
I note with some interest what appears to be the letter "J".
Suffered what appears to be a single gunshot wound to the chest.
They found what appears to be a partial shoe tread in this blood.
You are looking at what appears to be the base commander's house.
I found what appears to be cornstarch powder on the victim's wounds.
Now we have Mr Nassauer introducing what appears to be a sort of environmental blasphemy law.
But, what appears to be moves towards Direct to Consumer Advertising should be resisted.
Officers found what appears to be a gang tag on the rear wall of the building.
I'm sure you're wondering why Agent Kelly and the United States government... would be so interested in what appears to be a record company.
However, what appears to be driving your angel maker to create heaven on earth is a simple issue of mortality.
Now, this video shows American citizens in hoods and restraints in what appears to be a clear violation of their constitutional rights.
Instead of people sitting around asking an individual questions, the answers are demonstrated inside of what appears to be a transparent dome.
I mean, some minor celebrities, one government official, and what appears to be a national fast food chain mascot.
You are witnessing what appears to be the biggest sports riot Blue Mountain State has seen in nearly 20 years.
But my head unwraps around what appears limitless, man's creative violence.
This particular tragedy confirms what appears to be a European trend.
They bury them on the spot what appears.

Alternatives:

what seems
what is visible
what is evident
what is apparent
what is clear

This phrase is correct but less commonly used in English.

"what it appears"

This phrase is used to introduce a clause that explains a situation or appearance.

Examples:

I will investigate further to determine what it appears you are referring to.
She will explain what it appears happened during the meeting.

Show examples from the web [+]

This... Is not what it appears.
I sincerely hope I'm in a state of delirium because this cannot be what it appears.
Except this two-bit scam is not what it appears to be.
Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, the report on which we are about to vote is not what it appears to be.
nothing is exactly what it appears to be.
A charge of treason, out of context, is not necessarily what it appears to be.
If this is really what it appears to be... this technology is way beyond what any of us were working on.
Which certainly wasn't what it appeared to be, just like your work here isn't what it appears to be!
Seems like nothing is what it appears to be.
This is just what it appears to be.
Seems like nothing is what it appears to be.
This situation is not what it appears.
Don't be fooled by what it appears to be.
Make sure it is what it appears to be.
Numbers don't lie, and facts are indeed facts, but sometimes, we need to trust each other, because the truth isn't always what it appears to be.
What it appears to be is a set of amendments to the Sirene Manual, which regulates the exchange of information between Member States in relation to the Schengen Information System. Underlying this vote, however, is something a little more complex.
What happens inside it appears immutable.
From what we know, it appears unlikely.
Six seasons of "Lost" have taught us that not everything is what it initially appears to be.
Commissioner, from what you have said it appears that very far-reaching changes will be made to the common agricultural policy.

Alternatives:

what seems to be
what looks like
what is perceived as
what is interpreted as
what is understood as

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what appears vs what it appears

"what appears"

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