Grammer

Question

This is a little family. They seem to be very happy.Why, '' Seem to be '' not they seem '' ? Can we say ,They seem very happy ? or must  '' seem to be'' ?

Deadrat · Accepted Answer

Both are fine.

CalifJim · Answer

Mira17 This is a little family. They seem to be very happy.Why, '' Seem to be '' not they seem '' ? Can we say ,They seem very happy ? or must '' seem to be'' ?

They seem comes from It seems that they. In general, you can't leave out the infinitive:

It seems that they have two children. > They seem to have two children.
It seems that Lucy likes chocolate. > Lucy seems to like chocolate.
It seems that those men are carpenters. > Those men seem to be carpenters.

But with a form of be and an adjective, you can optionally leave out 'to be'.

It seems that they are happy. > They seem to be happy. > They seem happy.
It seems that Tom is glad to see her. > Tom seems to be glad to see her. > Tom seems glad to see her.
It seems that Laura was sad. > Laura seemed to be sad. > Laura seemed sad.

CJ

Tamguatlay · Answer

deadratBoth are fine.

But Grammer is not fine.

Grammer

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