Dear teachers/advicors,<br/><br/>I have long been thinking about the nuances in meaning between these two infinitives. But, in the end, I failed to figure out the difference.<br/><br/>Could you give me a helping hand, please.....?<br/><br/>I noticed that he seemed <u>to be smoking</u> a lot.<br/><br/>I noticed that he seemed <u>to smoke</u> a lot.<br/><br/>I am much obliged to you for your help.