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…

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