Seem vs. Look

'Seem' and 'look' are both linking verbs but differ in the way they describe the subject. Follow the lesson to find out more.

What is the difference between 'seem' and 'look'?

Both 'seem' and 'look' are linking verbs that mean 'to appear a certain way or give a certain impression'. However, 'look' is used to describe visual appearance or qualities, while 'seem' expresses subjective perception, impressions, or inferences about something based on observation or available information.

Physical Appearance vs. Subjective Perception

'Look' primarily refers to the physical appearance or visual observation of something. It focuses on how something appears to the eyes or is perceived visually. 'Seem', on the other hand, relates to the subjective perception or impression of something. It describes the way something appears or the impression it gives, often based on personal judgment or inference. For example:

The building looks old and dilapidated.

'old and dilapidated' refer to the physical appearance of a building.

She looks tired after a long day at work.

He seems confident about his presentation.

'seem confident' implies the speaker's subjective judgment of the impression of the subject.

She seems upset; I wonder what happened.

Comments

(0)

Share on :