-(으)ㄴ/는/(으)ㄹ 듯하다
it seems (written style)
Level 4 · Expression
Explanation
A written-style guess, more formal than -는 것 같다. Present verbs -는 듯하다, past -(으)ㄴ 듯하다, future -(으)ㄹ 듯하다; adjectives -(으)ㄴ 듯하다. The connective -(으)ㄴ/는 듯이 means 'as if'.
Examples
올해는 경기가 조금 나아질 듯하다.
The economy seems likely to improve a little this year.
그는 내 말을 이해하지 못한 듯했다.
He didn't seem to understand me.
비가 그칠 듯하다가 다시 쏟아졌다.
The rain seemed about to stop, then poured again.
TOPIK note
TOPIK II Reading 3–4, 32–38; Writing 53 (predictions).