seem
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /sˈiːm/
US
- /ˈsim/
Description
- appear
- appear to be
- give the impression of
- look like
Have you ever walked into a room and it just seemed chilly, even if the thermostat said otherwise? That is "seem" at work. It describes how something appears to be, rather than what it definitely is. It is all about the impression something gives. If a colleague is quiet during a meeting, they might seem shy, but perhaps they are simply deep in thought.
"Seem" is not a strong statement of fact; it shows that things are not always exactly as they look. You can say, "It seems like rain," when dark clouds make you think a storm is coming, but you are not certain yet. Or, "He seems happy," when his behavior gives that impression. It is a useful word when you are making a guess based on what you notice.
The word "seem" describes how something appears to be, giving an impression without fully confirming that it is true. It is about how things look or feel to someone, rather than what they definitely are. For example, saying "The problem seemed impossible" suggests that it looked very hard at the time, even if a solution was later found.
"Seem" is often used with adjectives to describe qualities. To say "She seems kind" does not mean she is definitely kind, but that her actions and manner give that impression. It is a softer way to describe something than saying it as a direct fact.
You might also use "seem" when expressing uncertainty or when talking about time, effort, or someone else's state. "It seemed like hours before the ambulance arrived" shows that the wait felt very long, even if only ten minutes had passed. In the same way, "He seems to be struggling with the task" shows that you can see signs of difficulty, even if you do not know exactly what he is thinking or feeling.
In sentences, "seem" is often followed by "to be" or by words like "like." For instance, you might say, "It seems to be working," or "She seems like a natural leader." In every case, "seem" helps you talk about the outward appearance of a situation while leaving room for the real truth to be different.
Examples
- 1
Appearance
You seem tired today.
- 2
Taste
The soup seems too salty.
- 3
Personal impression
That plan seems risky to me.
Pattern
seem + adjective + to me
this is my impression
- 4
Work habits
He seems to enjoy working alone.
- 5
Existence
There seems to be a problem with the printer.
Pattern
there seems to be + noun
it appears that something exists
- 6
Past judgment
It seemed like a good idea at the time.
- 7
Apparent truth
It seems that everyone has already left.
Pattern
it seems that + clause
a common way to say something appears to be true
- 8
Failed attempt
He can't seem to find his keys.
Pattern
can't seem to + verb
keep trying, but still not manage to
- 9
As-if impression
It seems as if nobody noticed the mistake.
Pattern
seem as if + clause
gives that impression
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- seemverb
Forms
- seemsverb
- seemedpast tenseverb
- seeming-ing formverb