seem

seem

W1S1 [si:m] v [linking verb, not in progressive]

[Date: 1100-1200; : Old Norse; Origin: sœma 'to be appropriate to', from sœmr 'appropriate']

1.) to appear to exist or be true, or to have a particular quality

▪ Ann didn't seem very sure.

▪ It seems a foolish decision now.

seem to do sth

▪ The rainbow seemed to end on the hillside.

seem important/right/strange etc to sb

▪ Doesn't that seem weird to you?

it seems to sb (that)

▪ It seems to me you don't have much choice.

it seems (that)

▪ It seemed that Freeman had killed the man, and dumped the body in the lake.

it seems likely/unlikely/reasonable/clear (that)

▪ It seems likely that he will miss Ireland's next match.

seem like

▪ Teri seemed like a nice girl.

▪ Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time.

▪ We waited for what seemed like hours .

seem as if/as though/like

▪ It seemed as if the end of the world had come.

▪ It seems like you're catching a cold, Taylor.

▪ 'So Bill's leaving her?' ' So it seems (=it appears to be true) .'

2.) can't/couldn't seem to do sth

used to say that you have tried to do something but cannot do it

▪ I just can't seem to relax.

3.) used to make what you are saying less strong or certain, and more polite

seem to do sth

▪ I seem to have lost my car keys.

it seems (that)/it would seem (that)

▪ It would seem that someone left the building unlocked.

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WORD CHOICE: seem, appear, look, sound

Seem and appear have the same meaning but appear is more formal : They seem upset. | This appears to be a good solution.

You use look to say how someone or something seems to you when you look at them : Maureen looked tired. | That book looks good.

You use sound to say how someone or something seems to you when you hear or read about them, or hear them : She sounds a lovely person. | The party sounded great. |He sounded tired.

GRAMMAR

Seem can be followed by an adjective or an adjective and noun : She seemed happy. | He seems a nice man.

Seem can also be followed by a verb in the infinitive : His story seems to be true. | You seem to think it's my fault.

!! Seem can be followed by as if or as though but not just by as : It seems a small thing (NOT it seems as a small thing), but it's very important. |It seemed as if he wanted us to leave (NOT it seemed as he wanted ...).

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