Linking Verb SEEM – English Lesson
In this complete tutorial for beginners’ learners are going to learn the linking verb seem in English.
Seem /siːm/ verb
= give the impression of being something
= give the impression of having a particular quality
= to appear in a particular way
So, this is the common structure:
Subject + seem + adjective
Watch the video here.
Example:
Tim seems angry.
= Tim gives the impression of being angry.
= Tim appears to be angry.
(We think that Tim is angry because of his appearance.
Maybe he’s angry but maybe he’s okay.)
Seem – form
Seem is a regular verb
I seem past simple: seemed
You seem
He / she / it seems past participle: seemed
We seem
You seem
They seem
Important: “seem” does not usually have a continuous form. This is because “seem” is considered to be a verb of the senses (similar to see, sound, smell taste, hear.)
Tim seems angry.ü
Tim is seeming angry. X
Tim is seeming to be angry. X
The uses “seem”
Here are the common uses of “seem“:
“seem” as a linking verb
“it seems” + that clause
“it would seem” + that clause
“seem” + simple infinitive
“seem” + continuous infinitive
“seem” + perfect infinitive
Let’s look at each one.
“seem” as a linking verb
“seem” is a linking (copular) verb. A linking verb gives us more information about the subject of the sentence.
Linking verbs are followed by adjectives (not adverbs)
Linking verbs can also be followed by noun phrases.
“seem” + adjective
= give the impression of being something
= give the impression of having a particular quality
Form:
subject + “seem” + adjective
Dan seems sad.
The dog seems hungry.
They seem tired.
We have in fact two choices of the form when we’re using it a s a linking verb, we either have;seem + adjective or seem to be + adjective
Seem + adjective (subjective impressions)
Subjective is the opposite of objective, so a subjective impression is something that is not definite, something that is not fixed it’s debatable.
Examples:
You seem excited with something.
The other players seem tired.
The baby seems comfortable.
Seem to be + adjective (more objective facts)
Examples:
Teacher: One of my students seems to be intelligent.
He seems to be a nice guy.
The train seems to be full.
Sometimes there is no real difference and both are possible.
Linking verbs can be followed by a noun phrase
We use seem to be + noun phrase
We do not use seem + noun phrase
Example:
Who is that lady with the kids?
She seems to be their teacher.ü
She seems their teacher. X
The man talking seems to be the owner.ü
The man talking seems the owner. X
“it seems” + that clause “it would seem” + that clause
Meaning: to suggest that something is true.
“it seems” and “it would seems” are polite and indirect style.
It is a non- committal style. Politicians often use it!
Father: Someone has broken my eyeglasses. (direct style) It
Father: It seems that someone has broken my eyeglasses.
Father: It would seem that someone has broken my eyeglasses.
Teacher: The students are progressing. (direct style)
Teacher: It seems that the students are progressing.
Teacher: It would seem that the students are progressing.
Seem + infinitive
We use “seem” with different types of infinitives.
“seem” + simple infinitive
“seem” + continuous infinitive
“seem” + perfect infinitive
Let’s look at each one.
“seem” simple infinitive
Meaning: To give the impression of doing an action in the present.
Simple infinitive “to” + base form of verb
Example: to cook
My mother seems to cook a vegetable soup.
John always seems to disturb his sister.
“seem” + continuous infinitive
Meaning: To give the impression of doing an action right now in the present or
doing a continuous action in the present.
Continuous infinitive: “to be” + ING form of verb
Example: to be cooking
You seem to be cooking. Aren’t you?
My neighbors seem to be fighting.
“seem” + perfect infinitive
Meaning: To give the impression of having done an action in the past.
Perfect infinitive: “to have” + past participle
Example: to have played
Dan and Tim seem to have played basketball.
My grandfather seems to have worked in the farm.
So, there we are that’s the end of this tutorial on the word “seem”, hope you understand and learn when and how to use seem properly.
Downloadable Material
Here’s the downloadable material of Tutorial on Linking Verb SEEM in English here.
For more readings
- TOO and ENOUGH | Use and Meaning in English
- The difference between “a little” and “little”
- The Difference between A FEW and FEW in English
- When to use “a little” and “a few”: English Grammar Rules
- Compound Words: English Vocabulary
- The difference between MUST and HAVE TO
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