seem

2 definitions • 18 examples

to give the effect of being; to be judged to be:

He's 16, but he often seems (to be) younger.

The children seemed (as if/as though/like they were) tired.

I suspect his claims are not all they seem - he tends to exaggerate.

Things are seldom as/how/what they seem.

[ + to infinitive ] I seem to know more about him than anyone else.

They seem to be taking a long time to decide.

[ + (that) ] It seems (that) she can't come.

It seems to me (that) (= I think that) he isn't the right person for the job.

formal It would seem (that) no action need be taken.

There seems to have been a mistake - my name isn't on the list.

[ after so ] "There's no reply - they've all gone home." "So it seems."

"Was a decision made?" "It seems not/so."

to appear to be:

[ L ] You seem very quiet today.

[ L ] He’s 16, but he seems younger.

[ L ] The news seemed too good to be true.

[ L ] She didn’t seem (to be) particularly happy.

[ I always + adv/prep ] They seemed like such a nice couple.

[ + to infinitive ] I can’t seem to stay awake.