Thread: seem
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Old 01-Jul-2004, 08:26
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Default Re: seem

Quote:
Originally Posted by petertsui
Is it okay to say:

What seems to be your problem?
What seems like your problem?
I agree with Mike. :D

I. Your problem seems to be what?
seems (to be) + adjective:
a) Your problem seems to be real. :D
b) Your problem seems real. :D

II. Your problem seems to be what?
seems like + noun phrase:
a) Your problem seems like a real problem. :D

III. What seems to be your problem?
'What' refers to an unknown problem. Since we don't know yet what the problem is, we can't used 'seems like'.
a) What seems to be your problem? :D
b) What seems like your problem? :(

If we know the problem, then we can use 'seems like', like this,

What seems (i.e. appears) to be your problem doesn't to me seem like a real problem. :D
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