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Appear

Appear: how something looks​

We use appear to say how something looks or seems to look. We usually follow it by an adjective or by a to-infinitive:

  • They appear very disappointed.
  • There appears to be a problem with the car.
  • The people don’t appear to know why they are here.

Less often, and in more formal situations, we can use appear with an adjective + noun:

  • She appears quite a nervous driver.

We can use appear with it as a subject, followed by as if, as though or that:

  • It appears as if you got the wrong directions to the school.
  • It appears as though they were wrong.
  • It appears that he was not the first choice.

Appear meaning ‘come into sight’​

Appear also means ‘become noticeable’:

  • Suddenly the figure of a man appeared in the distance.

Appear or seem?​

We mostly use appear to talk about facts and events. We use seem to talk about facts, but also to talk about personal feelings and ideas. Seem is often used with a noun:

  • His car appears/seems to have broken down.

  • It seems crazy that we should have to pay twice!

  • Not: It appears crazy …

  • It seemed a good choice at the time.

  • Not: It appeared a good choice …