Kinds of information represented by double-verb structures

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The first verb provides information about how real the speaker or writer feels the action is:

Last week her husband appeared to snub her as they both entered parliament. (SCMP 14/6/94)

Here are two verbs which are commonly used in double-verb structures of this type:

appear pretend seem

Note that these verbs are only ever followed by the to-infinitive.

The area of meaning relating to "reality" overlaps with modality . Verbs such as appear and seem are typically used when conveying information about how real or how likely the speaker feels the action is.

For further information about degrees of likelihood, see Indicating likelihood: Using verbs to indicate likelihood.

Introduction
Using double-verb structures to talk about "time"
Using double-verb structures to talk about "reality"
Using double-verb structures to talk about "effort"/"success"
Using double-verb structures to talk about "manner"
Teaching implications