seem S1 W1 /siːm/ BrE AmE verb [linking verb, not in progressive]
[ Date: 1100-1200 ; Language: Old Norse ; Origin: sma 'to be appropriate to' , from smr 'appropriate' ]
1 . if something seems to be true, there are qualities or facts that make people think it is true:
Ann didn’t seem very sure.
It seems a foolish decision now.
seem to do something
The rainbow seemed to end on the hillside.
seem important/right/strange etc to somebody
Doesn’t that seem weird to you?
it seems to somebody (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 (=that seems to be true) .’
REGISTER
In written English, people often prefer to use appear rather than seem , because it is more formal:
▪
It appears that the man had been murdered.
2 . can’t/couldn’t seem to do something 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 something
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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GRAMMAR
Seem can be followed by an adjective or by an adjective and noun:
▪
She seemed happy.
▪
He seems a nice man.
Seem can also be followed by like and a noun or by like and an adjective and noun:
▪
It seemed like a miracle.
▪
He seems like a nice man.
Seem can also be followed by a verb in the infinitive:
▪
His story seems to be true.
► 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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THESAURUS
▪ appear a more formal word for ‘seem’:
These reports appear to be unfounded.
▪ look to seem to be something, often because of what can be seen:
The future looks bleak.
|
He looked pleased.
▪ sound used to say that something or someone seems to be something because of what you have heard or read about them, or because of the noise or voice that you hear:
This study sounds very ambitious.
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They heard what sounded like a blow.
▪ come across as something to seem to have particular qualities:
He comes across as a very sensitive man.