can't seem to

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“I guess they’ve saved a little, Grandma,” I said, “but I don’t think it’s very much. Papa can’t seem to get ahold of much money. He gave up his smoking tobacco, and Mama has been saving her egg money. She doesn’t order anything out of the catalogue any more. They’re saving every dime they can, but I don’t think they’ve saved very much.”

From Literature

Uber can’t seem to emerge from the shadow of what’s to come.

From The Wall Street Journal

Theo tries his best to be a sensitive and supportive husband, but Sally can’t seem to get what she needs from him.

From Los Angeles Times

Councilmember Nithya Raman, now running against Mayor Karen Bass, cited the broken lights as an example of how city agencies “can’t seem to manage the basics.”

From Los Angeles Times

“Anytime now. We’re not exactly sure when she was bred. As elephants go, Pet’s pretty steady, but the past few days she’s been acting up. She can’t seem to get comfortable when she lies down, she’s off her feed, and yesterday she took a poke at me with her trunk for no good reason, which is really out of character for her. Normally she’s the most easygoing elephant I’ve ever been around.”

From Literature