1.
If something is ~ the case, you mean that it appears to be the case, even though it may not really be so.
A ~ endless line of trucks waits in vain to load up.
= apparently
ADV: ADV adj/adv
2.
You use ~ when you want to say that something seems to be true.
He has moved to Spain, ~ to enjoy a slower style of life...
ADV: ADV with cl/group, ADV before v vagueness