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Seems To Be In A Sentence

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"Seems to Be" in a Sentence: A Comprehensive Guide



The phrase "seems to be" is a common idiom in English, conveying uncertainty or a tentative observation. Its seemingly simple structure belies its versatility and importance in nuanced communication. Understanding its proper usage ensures clarity and precision in your writing and speaking. This article will explore the intricacies of "seems to be," providing a detailed understanding of its function and application through a question-and-answer format.

I. What does "seems to be" mean and when is it appropriate to use it?

"Seems to be" implies a belief or observation based on incomplete or indirect evidence. It suggests that something is likely true, but not definitively confirmed. It indicates a degree of uncertainty or hesitation. You'd use it when:

You lack definitive proof: "The report seems to be incomplete; some data is missing." Here, you haven't fully verified the report's completeness.
You're basing your conclusion on appearances: "The weather seems to be improving; the clouds are breaking." You're drawing a conclusion based on visual cues.
You're expressing a tentative opinion: "He seems to be upset; he's been unusually quiet." Your observation is based on behaviour, not explicit confirmation.
You're reporting hearsay or indirect information: "The rumour seems to be that the company is merging." You're relaying information you haven't verified yourself.

II. How does "seems to be" differ from "is"?

The key difference lies in the degree of certainty. "Is" states a fact definitively. "Seems to be" expresses a probability or a tentative conclusion.

Definite statement: "The sky is blue." (Fact)
Tentative statement: "The sky seems to be clearing up." (Observation, possibility)


III. Can "seems to be" be used with different tenses and aspects?

Yes, "seems to be" can be adapted to various tenses and aspects, maintaining its core meaning of tentative observation.

Present: "The economy seems to be recovering."
Past: "The meeting seemed to be going well."
Future: "The project seems to be progressing well, and it seems to be finishing on time."
Perfect: "He seems to have been lying." (Implying a past action inferred from present evidence)
Progressive: "She seems to be working hard."


IV. What are some common grammatical structures involving "seems to be"?

"Seems to be" often acts as the main verb in a sentence, but it can also be part of more complex structures.

With adjectives: "The situation seems to be precarious."
With nouns: "That seems to be the problem."
With gerunds: "He seems to be enjoying himself."
With infinitive phrases: "She seems to be about to leave."
In subordinate clauses: "It seems to be raining, although the forecast was sunny."


V. How can I avoid overuse or misuse of "seems to be"?

Overuse can make your writing sound hesitant or indecisive. If you have sufficient evidence to make a definite statement, do so. However, using "appears to be" or "appears" as an alternative can sometimes provide a slightly more formal tone. Also, consider using stronger verbs that convey uncertainty more directly, such as "appears," "suggests," "indicates," or "implies."


VI. Takeaway:

The phrase "seems to be" is a valuable tool for expressing uncertainty and tentative observations in English. Mastering its usage allows for more nuanced and precise communication, reflecting the often-incomplete nature of our knowledge and perceptions. Remember to use it judiciously, avoiding overuse, and choosing stronger verbs where appropriate to enhance the clarity and impact of your writing and speech.


FAQs:

1. Can "seems to be" be used in formal writing? Yes, but use it sparingly and ensure the context justifies the tentativeness it implies. In highly formal contexts, stronger verbs might be preferred.

2. Is there a difference between "seems to be" and "appears to be"? The difference is subtle. "Seems" is often based on personal perception, while "appears" might be based on more objective observation. However, they are often interchangeable.

3. How can I make a sentence with "seems to be" more impactful? Strengthen the supporting evidence. Instead of "The data seems to be inaccurate," try "The data seems to be inaccurate, given the numerous discrepancies and inconsistencies observed."

4. Can "seems to be" be used in passive voice? "The problem seems to be caused by a software glitch" is an example of using "seems to be" in passive voice. The passive voice emphasizes the problem rather than the agent of the cause.

5. What are some alternatives to "seems to be" that express similar meanings? Alternatives include: appears to be, looks like, suggests, indicates, implies, gives the impression of, might be, could be, possibly is. The best alternative will depend on the specific context and desired level of certainty.

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"seem"后面可以跟哪些形式？_百度知道 The enemy seems to be powerful but in fact it is weak. 但目前由于英语的发展，seem+to be+形容词结构的用法已越来越少，seem+adj的结构已趋成型，属口语语体。

infinitives - When is "seems to be" used instead of "seems"? The boy seems (to be) happy/comfortable When you use the word 'seem' as a linking verb (copular) followed by a gradable adjective, say happy or comfortable, you can use the 'seem' …

英语There seems to be 和it seems to be的区别和用法_百度知道 13 Jul 2016 · There seems to be every indication that there will be an earthquake. 所有迹象似乎都表明将要发生地震。 My hatred for her is so intense it seems to be destroying me 我对她恨之 …

英语There seems to be 和it seems to be的区别和用法_百度知道 12 Mar 2016 · There seems (to be) no answer to the question.这个问题似乎没有答案？ There seems (to be) a mistake in these answers.这些答案中好像有错误？

It seems that与It seems as if 用法 - 百度知道 27 Dec 2008 · 2、It seems as if：seem还可接连词that或连词短语as if〔though〕引导的从句作表语，as if〔though〕的从句常用陈述语气，that从句可用于陈述语气，也可用虚拟语气。 此时 …

What is the difference between "it seems" and "it looks like"? 25 May 2016 · When we say "it seems like", we are focusing on the impression given by the subject. There is more doubt implied in this phrasing, because it suggests you may be …

seem的用法 - 百度知道 12 Nov 2009 · seem可用作连系动词或不及物动词，意为“似乎；好像”，其常见用法现归纳如下： 一、“主语+ seem +（to be ）+表语”，表语多为名词或形容词，有时是其他的词或短语，以说 …

Differences among "It feels...", "It looks...", and "It seems..." "It looks" "It seems" . The verb "to seem" is actually the passive of the verb "to see", but has gone beyond sight in use. Both "looks" and "seems" can refer to how something is seen. The book …

How to use "seems to be" - English Language Learners Stack … As for It seems to be activated vs It seems to have been activated - the first is taking activated as an adjective, which is less common (except in the phrase activated charcoal). The second it is …

“seem doing ”与“seem to do”有什么区别？_百度知道 The maths problem seems to be very difficult to work out.这道数学题似乎很难解决. I seem to have caught a cold.我好像是感冒了. “seem+doing” 也是好像的意思.不表示虚拟. She seemed …