Basic English Vocabulary - SEEM

Share this & earn $10
English Lessons with Adam - Learn English [engVid]
Published at : 10 Sep 2021
326861 views
6854
70

http://www.engvid.com English seems difficult sometimes. But if you get the right explanations, it’s not that hard after all! In this lesson, we’ll look at the verb ‘seem’. I’ll teach you what it means, and how to use it properly. After the lesson, take the quiz: http://www.engvid.com/basic-english-vocabulary-seem/

TRANSCRIPT:
Hi, again. I’m Adam. Welcome back to www.engvid.com. Today’s lesson is about the verb "seem", okay? And this was requested by Sheila from Indonesia on our Facebook page. If you want to make any requests for lessons, please ask.

Today, we’re going to look at the verb "seem". Now, this is a verb that creates a lot of problems for students because it’s not an action verb and it’s not a "be" verb. It’s somewhere in between, okay? Actually, we call this a "state verb", but I’ll explain that again after.

So for example, you’ve heard this sentence, "You seem happy." Or, "you seem upset." What does that mean? Does that mean that you are happy or that you are upset? Maybe. I don’t actually know. This is just what I think. Or, "He seems to be a pilot." It means, "I think he’s a pilot, but I don’t know." So basically, "seems" means something looks like something or it feels like something but it’s not necessarily true. It’s probably true because that’s the image or the impression that we have, but we don’t know for sure if this is what that is or the situation is true. Okay? So it’s something that you think but you’re not sure about. It’s more like an opinion or even a guess. Okay? So that’s the hardest part about "seem" because it’s not saying something is or isn’t. It’s something maybe.

What’s the difference between "you seem happy" and "you are happy"? "You are happy" means – this is a declarative. This is true. This is the case. This is the situation. "Happy" describes "you". "You seem happy" means you’re smiling, but maybe you’re very sad and you’re just hiding it. Or maybe you’re very, very – you seem very calm, but you’re really upset, right? So "seem" – all that "seem" means is the appearance, nothing else. It’s not true. It’s not untrue. Okay? We’re going to look at a couple more examples, and you’ll have a better idea of what I’m talking about.

Okay. So let’s look at something else now. Remember I said that "seem" is a state verb. What does that mean? It means you can never use it with an -ing. You can never say, "He is seeming nice" or, "She is seeming to be" – something else. Right? So it’s never used as an-ing. That’s one thing.

If you want to talk about a particular quality of somebody – like, you want to talk about something specific. Not about the person, maybe about what the person does. So, "She seems to be good at her job." In this case, you must add the "to be". Before, we wanted to use a noun after "seem", so we used "to be". Now, we are using an adjective, but you still have to use "to be" because I’m not describing "her". I’m describing a quality of "her". Okay. So that’s the main thing.

Now, I said you can never use "seem" with-ing. But here, you’re looking at this word and going, "What’s going on? There’s an-ing." But there’s also an-ly. This is an adverb, adverb that is telling you something about the adjective. So let’s look at these three sentences.

"He is nice." If I said, "He is nice", is he nice? Yes. This is just stating a fact. It’s a declarative sentence. If I say, "He seems nice", is he nice? Maybe, but probably. Okay? But this one is a little bit tricky. If I say, "He seems nice", he’s probably nice. If I say, "He is seemingly nice", what does that mean? It’s a little bit tricky. It means he is acting nice, but he’s not really nice. Tricky, isn’t it? "Seemingly nice" means he’s putting on this impression, but there’s a reason he’s putting it on. He’s not really nice. He’s just pretending to be nice.

So you have three different sentences, and "seems" and "seemingly" – completely different meanings, completely different idea behind them. Okay? So it’s a little bit tricky.

"He seems nice." "He seems to be good at his job." "He is seemingly nice." Three different ways of using the verb "seem". Remember; we use it like an action verb, "he seems", "she seems", but never with-ing. Okay? So like an action verb for the "S"s, but it’s like a "be" verb because there’s no action. It’s just a situation. Okay.

Again, if you want to get more examples, go to www.engvid.com. I have a quiz there that will hopefully help you. And if you have any questions, write them in the comments. See you next time.

ESLLearn EnglishEnglish lesson

2003 BMW 525i 5MT Sport Package: Regular Car Reviews

2003 BMW 525i 5MT Sport Package: Regular Car Reviews

Easily The Best Jumpshot on NBA 2K22

Easily The Best Jumpshot on NBA 2K22

Significant Figures - Addition Subtraction Multiplication Division & Scientific Notation Sig Figs

Significant Figures - Addition Subtraction Multiplication Division & Scientific Notation Sig Figs

Skoda Superb 2021 review: the best value car in the world?

Skoda Superb 2021 review: the best value car in the world?

Tomorrow (annie) Lyrics

Tomorrow (annie) Lyrics

Is Modest - No More Cake [Official MV]

Is Modest - No More Cake [Official MV]

The Temper Trap - Sweet Disposition (Official Video)

The Temper Trap - Sweet Disposition (Official Video)

The Lion King 2 - Not One Of Us (English)

The Lion King 2 - Not One Of Us (English)

Building a Wall Mounted Wardrobe Dressing Cabinet || D.A Santos

Building a Wall Mounted Wardrobe Dressing Cabinet || D.A Santos

All About The Provision

All About The Provision

Set I :: Widespread Panic :: 2011.06.26 :: Red Rocks :: Morrison, CO

Set I :: Widespread Panic :: 2011.06.26 :: Red Rocks :: Morrison, CO

Julio Iglesias - Non stop-08 - Too many women

Julio Iglesias - Non stop-08 - Too many women

Finding Out I'm PREGNANT & Telling My Husband

Finding Out I'm PREGNANT & Telling My Husband

Timeflies - Once In a While

Timeflies - Once In a While

THE 7 HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE BY STEPHEN COVEY - ANIMATED BOOK SUMMARY

THE 7 HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE BY STEPHEN COVEY - ANIMATED BOOK SUMMARY

Hey Bear Sensory - Funky Veggies EXTENDED! - Baby Sensory - Fun Animation with Music!

Hey Bear Sensory - Funky Veggies EXTENDED! - Baby Sensory - Fun Animation with Music!

Tyrannus administers the well merited coup de gras to his enemy

Tyrannus administers the well merited coup de gras to his enemy

Young Mountain Biker Faces Paralysis After Accident | Helicopter ER

Young Mountain Biker Faces Paralysis After Accident | Helicopter ER

Luke Christopher - Lot to Learn (Lyrics)

Luke Christopher - Lot to Learn (Lyrics)

Come Across Phrasal Verb Meaning | How To Use Come Across in English | Business English Vocabulary

Come Across Phrasal Verb Meaning | How To Use Come Across in English | Business English Vocabulary

"Boost Your Aura" Attract Positive Energy Meditation Music, 7 Chakra Balancing & Healing

"Boost Your Aura" Attract Positive Energy Meditation Music, 7 Chakra Balancing & Healing

Mavado - Progress

Mavado - Progress

Nastya and Maggie try to be good babysitters

Nastya and Maggie try to be good babysitters

Be Prepared to Go Hungry as a Prolonged Food Shortage is Coming

Be Prepared to Go Hungry as a Prolonged Food Shortage is Coming

Something You Should Always Have with You

Something You Should Always Have with You

Dolly Parton - 9 To 5

Dolly Parton - 9 To 5

Mattress Buying Guide (How To Choose A Mattress)

Mattress Buying Guide (How To Choose A Mattress)

DJ BoBo - EVERYBODY

DJ BoBo - EVERYBODY

Liam Payne - Depend On It (Audio)

Liam Payne - Depend On It (Audio)

Summer Mix 2020 - Chillout Lounge Relaxing Deep House Music

Summer Mix 2020 - Chillout Lounge Relaxing Deep House Music

The Turning - Official Trailer

The Turning - Official Trailer

Sort the Same Group Two Different Ways | Preschool and Kindergarten | Kids Academy

Sort the Same Group Two Different Ways | Preschool and Kindergarten | Kids Academy

A real story of drug affected person l CRAZY UPLOADER

A real story of drug affected person l CRAZY UPLOADER

CB2 DUPES | INEXPENSIVE FURNITURE & HOME DECOR | GET THE LOOK FOR LESS

CB2 DUPES | INEXPENSIVE FURNITURE & HOME DECOR | GET THE LOOK FOR LESS

Pull Away

Pull Away

53 DINOSAUR TRANSFORMING EGGS - Learn Prehistoric Animal Names T-Rex Triceratops Stegosaurus

53 DINOSAUR TRANSFORMING EGGS - Learn Prehistoric Animal Names T-Rex Triceratops Stegosaurus

Little Mix ~ Power ~ Lyrics (+Audio)

Little Mix ~ Power ~ Lyrics (+Audio)

Speedzone teszt: Skoda Superb Style 2.0 TDi DSG SCR: Szárnyashajó

Speedzone teszt: Skoda Superb Style 2.0 TDi DSG SCR: Szárnyashajó

10 Impossible Things That Happen Every Day on Other Planets

10 Impossible Things That Happen Every Day on Other Planets

Άνοιξα ξενοδοχείο πάνω στο βουνό - Hotel Magnate | LegitGamingGR

Άνοιξα ξενοδοχείο πάνω στο βουνό - Hotel Magnate | LegitGamingGR

Significant Figures - A Fast Review!

Significant Figures - A Fast Review!

GOKO! - O LA LA feat. Motive & Critical (Official Audio)

GOKO! - O LA LA feat. Motive & Critical (Official Audio)

Monster School: SQUID GAME BABY ZOMBIE AND DOLL SISTER - Sad Story - Minecraft Animation

Monster School: SQUID GAME BABY ZOMBIE AND DOLL SISTER - Sad Story - Minecraft Animation

Ace of Base - All That She Wants (Official Music Video)

Ace of Base - All That She Wants (Official Music Video)

Ratings Comedy Series | Ep1: Party Jollof

Ratings Comedy Series | Ep1: Party Jollof

Find out levels 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 [foxus apps]

Find out levels 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 [foxus apps]

Make Sure to Tell Your Lawyer This.

Make Sure to Tell Your Lawyer This.

Timeless (Official Video) Raavi Gill | Gur Sidhu | New Punjabi Song 2021 | Latest Punjabi Songs 2021

Timeless (Official Video) Raavi Gill | Gur Sidhu | New Punjabi Song 2021 | Latest Punjabi Songs 2021

Details FANS POINTED OUT To Oda! || One Piece Discussions & Analysis

Details FANS POINTED OUT To Oda! || One Piece Discussions & Analysis