ESL General English Grammar Questions

Re: would seem V.S. seems

akdom — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:17:10 GMT

thank you guys.

I looked up in the Dictionary.com. I found a meaning of "would" i don't know before.

"Would --> (used to express an uncertainty): It would appear that he is guilty. "

I guess it is probably also a reason which would gives another coat of meaning to seem.

Re: would seem V.S. seems

Marius Hancu — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 02:16:00 GMT

>I don't think either is an assumption. They are more like statements of appearances.

I agree with CJ on this.

Re: would seem V.S. seems

CalifJim — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 21:00:41 GMT

1 it seems is neutral, flat, matter-of-fact, almost closed to further discussion.

2 it would seem is more multi-dimensional, possibly open to further discussion.

Of the two, the second seems more likely to be said with a sigh of resignation or regret -- or to be said with a tone of challenge, as if to say, "but then again, ... maybe ..." In any case, it seems less neutral than the first.

I don't think either is an assumption. They are more like statements of appearances.

Re: would seem V.S. seems

Marius Hancu — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:10:23 GMT

the 1st is even more doubtful/hypothetical

would seem V.S. seems

akdom — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 19:05:35 GMT

1. It would seem that there is no simple answer.
2. It seems that there is no simple answer.

what's the difference between the two?
"would seem" is making an assumption; "seems" is also making an assumption.