seem and seem to be

[lovelytofu]

Hello.

I am cunfused about the usage of the word "seem".
In my english dictionary, I can find these two sentences.

1. He seems to be ill.
2. He seems young.

Since both ill and young are adjectives, would it be alright if i said
1. He seems ill. or 2. He seems to be young?

Thank you very much for your time.

[Tdol]

You could. Michael Swan suggests that seem + to be is more used for objective facts and seem + adjective more for subjective opinions.

[MikeNewYork]

You could. Michael Swan suggests that seem + to be is more used for objective facts and seem + adjective more for subjective opinions.

That's interesting, since "seem" is usually about perception.

[lovelytofu]

Thank you very much for answering my question.

[Tdol]

That's interesting, since "seem" is usually about perception.

He gives an example of something like 'the milk seems to be pasteurized', which does make sense to me.

[MikeNewYork]

He gives an example of something like 'the milk seems to be pasteurized', which does make sense to me.

OK, I accept that.

[Tdol]

He is good at spotting things like that.

[MikeNewYork]

He is good at spotting things like that.

Yes, but I don't think it always works.

[trgalatasaray]

Hello.

I am cunfused about the usage of the word "seem".
In my english dictionary, I can find these two sentences.

1. He seems to be ill.
2. He seems young.

Since both ill and young are adjectives, would it be alright if i said
1. He seems ill. or 2. He seems to be young?

Thank you very much for your time.

i think in the first sentence. 1. He seems to be ill.
it has also future meaning , in the meaning of "he will be ill i think" , prediction .
and if you use "he seems ill" it is correct too and you are sure that he is ill.

[MikeNewYork]

i think in the first sentence. 1. He seems to be ill.
it has also future meaning , in the meaning of "he will be ill i think" , prediction .
and if you use "he seems ill" it is correct too and you are sure that he is ill.

First, "seems to be ill" only has a present meaning. There is no prediction there.

Second, the speaker is less than certain there, but he could be pretty sure.