appear、look与seem这些动词均有“看起来、好像是”之意。
appear :指从感观印象看似乎是如此,但有时着重指因视野、观点限制而产生的歪曲印象。
- She appeared to be in her late thirties.
看样子她快四十岁了。 - They appeared not to know what was happening.
他们似乎不知道正在发生的事。
look :指从样子看起来,侧重通过视觉而建立的印象。
- That book looks interesting.
那本书好像很有趣。 - You made me look a complete fool!
你弄得我像个十足的个傻瓜!
seem :多指从主观印象或个反应得出的看法。
- It seemed like a good idea at the time.
当时这主意好像不错。 - It always seemed as though they would get married.
他们一直仿佛是要结婚似的。