Representing being and having
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Using linking verbs | page 5 of 7 |
Indicating how things seem
There is a small but important group of linking verbs which indicate that the identification or description depends on the speaker or writer's perceptions. This group includes the verbs seem, appear, look, sound, taste, feel and smell.
All of these verbs can be used in descriptive clauses
when the complement is an adjective group:
Taking on temporary staff seems more and more common - that way firms do not have to pay holiday money and they can lay people off easily. (Bank of English)
Shops appeared relatively well stocked with food during a visit to Pyongyang by a group of foreign journalists last week. (Bank of English)
She sounded a bit nervous, unreliable at the top and none too willing to bring dynamic variation. (Bank of English)
When the complement is a noun group, these linking verbs normally have to be
followed by like:
When she went upstairs and looked at herself in the mirror, she was shocked. She'd lost weight, she was dressed abominably, her hair looked like a collection of rat's tails. She looked like a real victim. (Bank of English)
He smelled like an animal that has been caged in unchanged straw.
(Bank of English)
Generally, only seem is used in identifying clauses:
Mortgage lenders were divided yesterday on how they would respond to the base rate hike, but a 1.25 per cent increase in ordinary mortgage rates to 14.75 per cent seemed the most common reaction. (Microconcord Corpus A)
However, both appear and seem are used in identifying clauses with the linking verb be:
The party's education advisers are still wrestling over a name for the new qualification which will eventually replace A-level and vocational courses. The current favourite appears to be the Advanced Diploma. (Bank of English)
We find that autumn seems to be the busy time of year for weddings.
(SCMP 20/4/94)
Note that verbs such as appear and seem are used to
indicate the speaker or writer's judgement of likelihood. For further information, see 
Indicating likelihood: Using verbs to indicate likelihood (p 4).
Indicating how things seem
