Appear: how something looks
We useappearto say how something looks or seems to look. We usually follow it by an adjective or by ato-infinitive:
Theyappearvery disappointed.
Thereappearsto be a problem with the car.
The people don’tappearto know why they are here.
Less often, and in more formal situations, we can use appear with an adjective + noun:
Sheappearsquite a nervous driver.
We can useappearwithitas a subject, followed byas if, as thoughorthat:
Itappearsas if you got the wrong directions to the school.
Itappearsas though they were wrong.
Itappearsthat he was not the first choice.
Appearmeaning ‘come into sight’
Appearalso means ‘become noticeable’:
Suddenly the figure of a manappearedin the distance.
Appearorseem?
We mostly useappearto talk about facts and events. We useseemto talk about facts, but also to talk about personal feelings and ideas.Seemis often used with a noun:
His carappears/seemsto have broken down.
Itseemscrazy that we should have to pay twice!
Not:It appears crazy…
Itseemeda good choice at the time.
Not:It appeared a good choice…