seem

Everyday

1. To seem means to look or appear to be something, from what you can see or know: «She seems happy». tree →
2. «It seems» is used to say what you think is true but are not sure about: «It seems we are lost». tree →

In the lessons

In stories, «seem» shows what a character notices without knowing for sure, and things that seem one way can turn out different: a trap the reader should notice. In science, results «seem to show» something until checked. In safety, someone who seems friendly online may not be. Phrases: «seem to», «it seems that», «seem like».

Examples

• You seem tired today. tree →
• The dog seems friendly, but ask the owner first. tree →
• It seems like it will rain. tree →
• The puzzle seemed hard at first. tree →
• Things are not always what they seem. tree →
• He seems to know the answer. tree →
• The test seemed to last forever. tree →
• It seems that we took the wrong path. tree →
• "It's fated I must, it seems! tree →

Note

«Seem» is not used in the -ing form for this meaning: say «You seem sad», not «You are seeming sad». «Seem» is followed by an adjective, «to» + verb, or «like». Do not confuse «seem» with «seam» (a line where cloth is sewn together) — they sound the same.

In Jewish tradition

Interpretation: Jacob's seven years that "seemed but a few days" are read as a sign of how deeply he loved Rachel. In the primary lessons: In stories, «seem» shows what a character notices without knowing for sure, and things that seem one way can turn out different: a trap the reader should notice. In science, results «seem to show» something until checked. In safety, someone who seems friendly online may not be. Phrases: «seem to», «it seems that», «seem like».

Examples

• And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her. (Torah GEN.29.20, JPS 1917) tree →
• My father peradventure will feel me, and I shall seem to him as a mocker; and I shall bring a curse upon me, and not a blessing.' (Torah GEN.27.12, JPS 1917) tree →
• And Lot went out, and spoke unto his sons-in-law, who married his daughters, and said: 'Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy the city.' But he seemed unto his sons-in-law as one that jested. (Torah GEN.19.14, JPS 1917) tree →
• It seemed as when men wield upwards axes in a thicket of trees. (Writings PSA.74.5, JPS 1917) tree →
• This also have I seen as wisdom under the sun, and it seemed great unto me: (Writings ECC.9.13, JPS 1917) tree →
• It hath seemed good unto me to declare the signs and wonders that God Most High hath wrought toward me. (Writings DAN.3.32, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

«Seem» is not used in the -ing form for this meaning: say «You seem sad», not «You are seeming sad». «Seem» is followed by an adjective, «to» + verb, or «like». Do not confuse «seem» with «seam» (a line where cloth is sewn together) — they sound the same.