-는 듯하다

It seems like, It appears that, Supposition

Explanation

This expression is used when the speaker is supposing or speculating about some event or situation. It is a more formal expression than -는 것 같다.

Details

1. This expression can be replaced with -는 듯싶다 with no major change in meaning. However, -는 듯하다 is used more generally.

현장 경험이 없는 김 대리가 그 일을 맡는 것은 무리일 듯싶습니다.
최근 경제가 불황에서 벗어나는 듯싶다가 다시 침체에 빠지기 시작했다.

2. This expression is often used in the form -는 듯 in news reports and in the titles of newspaper articles.

고속도로 몸살, 저녁까지 정체 이어질 듯.
김호진 감독, 기자 회견 도중 쓰러져, 과도한 스케줄로 무리한 듯.

While -(으)ㄴ 듯하다, -는 듯했다, and -(으)ㄴ 듯했다 all indicate situations related to the past, they have the following differences.

Examples
<span class="speaker-a">가:</span> 신제품 판매는 잘됩니까?<br><br><span class="speaker-b">나:</span> 별로예요. 사람들이 <span class='focus'>살 듯하다가</span> 다들 그냥 가더라고요. 아직 신제품의 효능에 대한 홍보가 부족<span class='focus'>한 듯해요</span>.<br><br><span class="speaker-a">가:</span> 그럼, 홍보에 더 신경을 많이 써야겠군요.<br><br><span class="speaker-b">나:</span> 그리고 홍보도 홍보지만 판매 전략도 좀 바꿔야 <span class='focus'>할 듯합니다.</span>
A: Is the new product selling well? B: Not really. People acted like they were going to purchase it and then just walked away. It appears that we have insufficiently promoted the product’s effectiveness. A: In that case, we should put more effort into promotions. B: And while promotions are important, it appears that we also have to change our sales strategy.
현장 경험이 없는 김 대리가 그 일을 맡는 것은 무리<span class='focus'>일 듯합니다.</span>
It seems a bit too much to give that job to assistant manager Kim, who has no hands-on experience.
최근 경제가 불황에서 <span class='focus'>벗어나는 듯하다가</span> 다시 침체에 빠지기 시작했다.
Recently, the economy seemed to be coming out of its recession only to start becoming stagnant once again.

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