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#2 (permalink) Sun Nov 26, 2006 9:31 am Seem |
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Hi Pamela,
It really depends how you use the verb. 'To be' after 'seems' is a simple infinitive after 'seems' and is no different from: begins to be in contrast to begins on its own. But I assume you want to know the difference when you are using a following adjective as in these examples: She seems happy and She seems to be happy. In both cases there is an 'appearance' of happiness and there is little to distinguish one from the other except that 'to be happy' does add a slightly more positive note.
Hope that's of use.
A _________________ English as a Second Language You can read my ESL story Womens' Day |
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Alan Co-founder

Joined: 27 Sep 2003 Posts: 9197 Location: UK
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#3 (permalink) Sun Nov 26, 2006 9:38 am Difference between "seem to" and "seem to be" |
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| Thanks, Alan! |
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Pamela I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 14 Mar 2006 Posts: 1239 Location: Rf
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#4 (permalink) Sun Nov 26, 2006 10:03 am Difference between "seem to" and "seem to be" |
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Hi Pamela
Just to clarify...
Did you really mean to ask about the difference between (1) 'seem to be' and 'seem to'? (That's what is in your question... )
Or is your question about a difference between (2) 'seem to be' and 'seem' (without 'to')?
In the second situation, I would tend to construct sentences differently this way, for example:
That solution seems more practical. That seems to be a more practical solution.
So, tell us, what does your book claim? 
Amy |
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Yankee I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 16 Apr 2006 Posts: 8265 Location: USA
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#5 (permalink) Sun Nov 26, 2006 10:27 am Difference between "seem to" and "seem to be" |
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Hi Amy Sorry, I meant without the particle "to". Difference between seem and seem to be  |
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Pamela I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 14 Mar 2006 Posts: 1239 Location: Rf
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#6 (permalink) Sun Nov 26, 2006 10:31 am Difference between "seem to" and "seem to be" |
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| Yankee wrote: |
In the second situation, I would tend to construct sentences differently this way, for example:
That solution seems more practical. That seems to be a more practical solution.
So, tell us, what does your book claim?  |
Hi Pamela
Sorry, I edited my first post as you were replying (see above)
Amy |
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Yankee I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 16 Apr 2006 Posts: 8265 Location: USA
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#7 (permalink) Sun Nov 26, 2006 10:37 am Difference between "seem to" and "seem to be" |
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| My book proved to be qualified in this matter but not in all aspects. Thank you very much for your feedback! |
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Pamela I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 14 Mar 2006 Posts: 1239 Location: Rf
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#8 (permalink) Sun Nov 26, 2006 10:45 am Difference between "seem to" and "seem to be" |
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Hi Pamela
I'd just like to stress that the sentences I wrote are my own tendency. You can also write something like this:
That seems a more practical solution.
Amy |
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Yankee I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 16 Apr 2006 Posts: 8265 Location: USA
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#9 (permalink) Sun Nov 26, 2006 13:18 pm Difference between "seem to" and "seem to be" |
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Hi
| Pamela wrote: |
| but I don't think I can trust it completely |
Sorry my off-topic question.
Can anybody say, whether in English the phrase 'I can’t trust him completely' means 'I can’t trust him at all' or 'I still have some doubts about him (despite I trust him, in general)' ? _________________ It’s impossible to learn swimming without entering the water… |
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Tamara I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 25 May 2006 Posts: 1577 Location: UK
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#10 (permalink) Sun Nov 26, 2006 14:04 pm Difference between "seem to" and "seem to be" |
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Hello Tamara
I would say the latter. Not competely in the sense of "not entirely".
Cheers L. L.
| Tamara wrote: |
Can anybody say, whether in English the phrase 'I can’t trust him completely' means 'I can’t trust him at all' or 'I still have some doubts about him (despite I trust him, in general)' ? |
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Lucien_Librarian You can meet me at english-test.net

Joined: 25 Nov 2006 Posts: 62 Location: Germany
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#11 (permalink) Sun Nov 26, 2006 18:14 pm Difference between "seem to" and "seem to be" |
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Hi Tamara
It could depend on the context somewhat. If someone were trying to be polite/diplomatic about voicing a complete lack of trust in someone, they might well say it that way.
Compare: "There seems to be a slight problem."
In reality this often means that we have a large problem.
Amy |
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Yankee I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 16 Apr 2006 Posts: 8265 Location: USA
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Tamara I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 25 May 2006 Posts: 1577 Location: UK
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| 'mother to': preposition | Phrase "To make a proposal of marriage" |