seem

Meanings

1. 1verblinking

   To give the impression of having a certain quality or being in a certain state.

   Grammar: Followed by an adjective or noun phrase, not an object: she seems tired.

   Patterns

   • seem adjective
   • seem like something
   • seem to be something

   Your brother seems very friendly.

   The test seemed easy at first.

   It seems like a good idea to leave early.

2. 2verbintransitive

   To appear to do or be something, based on what one sees, hears, or knows.

   Grammar: Followed by to plus a verb or by that: he seems to know you; it seems that we are lost.

   Patterns

   • seem to do something
   • it seems that something
   • there seems to be something

   She seems to enjoy her new job.

   There seems to be a problem with the printer.

   It seems that nobody told him about the change.

Word forms

Common combinations

seem to be

The shop seems to be closed.

seem like

That seems like a fair price.

it seems that

It seems that the bus is late again.

seem unlikely

A win seems unlikely after that start.

can't seem to

I can't seem to find my keys.

Synonyms and how they differ

appear

Appear is a little more formal and often suggests how something looks to the eye.

look

Look is limited to what you see, while seem can be based on any evidence.

sound

Sound is used when the impression comes from hearing or being told.

Word family

seeming adjective

appearing so, but perhaps not truly

seemingly adverb

in appearance, though not necessarily in fact

seemly adjective

proper and suitable, an old-fashioned word

Commonly confused: seem or seam?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “seem”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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