seem是连系动词,意为“似乎”、“好像”、“看上去”,用来表示说话人内心的?有一定依据的推测、判断或猜想。其用法如下:

一、“seem(to be) +n(作表语)”,此结构中的to be可省略,但名词前一般应有形容词修饰:

It seems(to be) the best answer.这似乎是最好的回答。

His father seems(to be) a kind man.他父亲看上去像个和善的人。

It seemed(to be) an interesting book.这好像是本有趣的书。

二、“seem(to be)+adj(作表语)”,此结构中的 to be也可省略?如果to be后面是afraid,asleep,awake 等表语形容词,则 to be不能省略:

The green leaves seemed(to be) more beautiful after the rain.绿叶在雨后显得更美。

These girls seem(to be) very happy.这些女孩子们似乎很高兴。

The boy seems to be afraid of the teacher.这男孩好像怕老师。

三、“seem+介词 like 和 in引起的短语”,seem like表示“看上去好像”,seem in表示“看起来处于……状态”:

Those boats seem like many ducks.那些船看上去好像是很多鸭子。

The English-Chinese dictionary seems to me like an old friend.这本英汉词典对我来说好像一位老朋友。

Mrs Brown seems in bad health. 布朗夫人看起来身体不好。

四、“seem to do something(动词不定式作表语)”,这种结构的否定形式是“do/does/did+not+seem+to do something”或“seem+not+to