figure for seem

[ostap77]

Could I use the verb "figure" as in the following sentence?

"He's doing a great job. He figures to have been a very good student in college."

[bhaisahab]

Could I use the verb "figure" as in the following sentence?

"He's doing a great job. He figures to have been a very good student in college."

No.

[ostap77]

No.

So I can't use it to mean to appear likely to do something ? Or it's just the use of the present perfect?

[bhaisahab]

So I can't use it to mean to appear likely to do something ? Or it's just the use of the present perfect?

You can't use it to replace "seem".

[5jj]

So I can't use it to mean to appear likely to do something ?

No doubt you will come up with some example in which it might be interpreted in that way, but the simple answer is "No".

[ostap77]

No doubt you will come up with some example in which it might be interpreted in that way, but the simple answer is "No".

In fact I already did! "Engle figures to be in the mix for Utes"! I guess "figures" in this one means "seems"? Mail Tribune (Southern Oregon's News Source).

[bhaisahab]

In fact I already did! "Engle figures to be in the mix for Utes"! I guess "figures" in this one mean "seems"? Mail Tribune (Southern Oregon's News Source).

I'd say it's more likely to mean "Engle thinks he's going to be in the mix..."

[JohnParis]

Ostap77 -
Is it the "n" or the "o" that's tripping you up?
Figures does not mean seems.
In the example you provided, figures means that the golfer in question is counting on being a part of the Utes team next season.
In this sense "figures to be" is a phrasal verb which is used informally and means to count or rely on something happening or being the case in the future.

John

[ostap77]

I'd say it's more likely to mean "Engle thinks he's going to be in the mix..."

I could have been misled by defenition b) in a dictionary. Could I get advice if defenition b) is accurate?

"2 US, informal a [+ obj] : to understand or find (something, such as a reason) by thinking
▪ Their reasons for doing this are hard to figure. [=figure out] ▪ I've finally figured [=figured out] a way to manage my time better. ▪ We've got to figure [=find] a way out of this mess.
b [no obj] : to appear likely to do something
▪ She figures to finish by noon. ▪ He doesn't figure to win. [=he probably won't win]"

[5jj]

b [no obj] : to appear likely to do something
▪ She figures to finish by noon. ▪ He doesn't figure to win. [=he probably won't win]"

That dictionary defintion does not seem to me to reflect normal usage. Which dictionary was it from?

ps (a little later). My apologies. I have checked some of the examples in COCA, and it does seem to have that meaning at times. It's new to me.