word choice - "Seem", "appear", "look" — how to differentiate?


Are there any significant structural or semantic differences between seem, appear and look in the sense of "to give the impression of being or doing something"?




  • She looks unhappy.

  • He seems angry.

  • They appear (to be) contented.

  • It looks as if it's going to rain again.

  • It looks like we're going home without a suntan.

  • It seems as if they're no longer in love.

  • It seems like she'll never agree to a divorce.

  • They appear to have run away from home. They cannot be traced.

  • I seem to have lost my way. Can you help me?

  • It seems to be some kind of jellyfish. Do not go near it.

  • They appear not to be at home. Nobody's answering.

  • They do not appear to be at home. No one's answering.

  • It seems that I may have made a mistake in believing you did this.

  • It appears that you may be quite innocent of any crime.

  • It looks as if/like you won't go to prison after all.

  • It seems a shame that we can't take Kevin on holiday with us.

  • It doesn't seem like a good idea to leave him here by himself.

  • It seems ridiculous that he has to stay here to look after the cat.





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