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Tung Quoc Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
seem, look, appear
Hi,
You seem happy. (1) = You look happy.(2)=You appear happy.(3)?
If not, what is the subtle difference in meaning btw them?
Q
You seem happy. (1) = You look happy.(2)=You appear happy.(3)?
If not, what is the subtle difference in meaning btw them?
Q
Top answer
He looks old. (You notice it with your eyes. ) Physics seems difficult for him.
- He looks old.
- (You notice it with your eyes.
- ) Physics seems difficult for him.
- ) Physics appears difficult for him.
- ) Cheers CB
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3 Answers
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He looks old. (You notice it with your eyes.)
Physics seems difficult for him. (No eyesight is needed for the observation.)
Physics appears difficult for him. (The same as seems, just more formal.)
Cheers
CB
Physics seems difficult for him. (No eyesight is needed for the observation.)
Physics appears difficult for him. (The same as seems, just more formal.)
Cheers
CB
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For me, if someone says "You appear [something]" it would sound like that person had doubts about whether I really was [something] or was just trying to make it look that way.
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You can use the 'seem' when it takes a little time to make a judgement. However, we use 'look' when it is something we can quickly see or understand. For example,
You seem happy. (You were singing all day and bought me lunch. I'm guess you are happy, but you might not be smiling.)
You look happy. (I see you smiling. I know very easily and quickly that you are happy.)
You seem happy. (You were singing all day and bought me lunch. I'm guess you are happy, but you might not be smiling.)
You look happy. (I see you smiling. I know very easily and quickly that you are happy.)
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