Seem is a copular verb. It is followed by adjectives, not adverbs. Seem means appear or look like.
Study the following examples.
- I think he likes classical music.
The same idea can be expressed using seem. Two structures are possible.
- It seems that he likes classical music.
- He seems to like classical music.
More examples are given below.
- I think she is excited about the offer.
- It seems that she is excited about the offer.
- She seems to be excited about the offer. OR She seems excited about the offer.
Seem and seem to be mean the same in most cases.
- I think he is upset.
- It seems that he is upset.
- He seems to be upset.
- People think that he is a cheat.
- It seems that he is a cheat.
- He seems to be a cheat.
- I thought she was rich.
- It seemed that she was rich.
- She seemed to be rich.
Rewrite the following sentences using seem.
1. The police suspect that two children have gone missing.
2. I think she is busy.
3. I think that she is a strict disciplinarian.
4. The police suspect that he has a criminal background.
Answers
1. It seems that two children have gone missing. / Two children seem to have gone missing.
2. It seems that she is busy. / She seems to be busy.
3. It seems that she is a strict disciplinarian. / She seems to be a strict disciplinarian.
4. It seems that he has a criminal background. / He seems to have a criminal background.