seem

这三个词都可用作系动词,表示“看起来”。它们的区别是：

1.在含义上, appear 强调外表上给人的某种印象,有时含实质上并非如此的意思; look意味着看上去如此,实际亦是如此; seem 则暗示判断有一定根据,这种判断往往接近事实。例如:

He appears to be very young.

他看上去很年轻。(实际上不一定如此)

He looks to be very young.

他看上去很年轻。(实际上也年轻)

He seems to be very young.

他看上去很年轻。(可能他的确很年轻)

2.在用法上,这三个词都可跟形容词或“to be+形容词或名词”结构,也可用于It appears〔appeared〕/looks〔looked〕/seems〔seemed〕 as if...结构。但是, appear 和seem跟to- v 时仍表示“看起来”,而look 接to- v 则是“盼望”的意思。例如:

He appears〔seems〕 to know it.

他看来知道这件事。

He looks to hear from you.

他期待你来信。

另外, appear 和seem可用于It appears〔appeared〕/seems〔seemed〕 that...结构,而look不能。例如:

我看他似乎很喜欢看这部小说。

［误］ It looks to me that he enjoys read- ing the novel.

［正］ It appears〔seems〕 to me that he enjoys reading the novel.

还有, appear 和seem一般不用于进行体; 而look可用现在进行时,这和一般现在时所表示的意思无多大区别。例如:

You are looking〔look〕 very unhappy.你看起来很不高兴。

He seemed to be ill.

It seemed that he was ill.

他好像在生病。

He doesn't seem to be at home.

He seems not to be at home.

他好像不在家。

It seems as if it might rain.

看样子像要下雨似的。

It seems as if it is going to rain.

看来快要下雨了。