- can't seem to
- Is seem to ever needed in this expression? Doesn't can't express the idea by itself? What does seem to really add?
Dictionary of problem words and expressions. Harry Shaw. 1975.
can't seem to
Look at other dictionaries:
can't seem to — Seem unable to … A concise dictionary of English slang
seem — W1S1 [si:m] v [linking verb, not in progressive] [Date: 1100 1200; : Old Norse; Origin: sœma to be appropriate to , from sœmr appropriate ] 1.) to appear to exist or be true, or to have a particular quality ▪ Ann didn t seem very sure. ▪ It seems … Dictionary of contemporary English
seem — [ sim ] verb intransitive never progressive *** 1. ) to appear to be something or appear to have a particular quality: John seems nice. seem (to be) someone/something: Susan seems a very sensible person. seem happy/genuine/relaxed etc. to someone … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
seem — /si:m/ verb (linking verb, not in progressive) 1 to appear to be a particular thing or to have a particular quality, feeling, or attitude: Dinah didn t seem very sure. | seem to sb: Larry seemed pretty angry to me. | “How did she seem to you?”… … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
seem */*/*/ — UK [siːm] / US [sɪm] verb [intransitive, never progressive] Word forms seem : present tense I/you/we/they seem he/she/it seems present participle seeming past tense seemed past participle seemed 1) to appear to be something, or to appear to have… … English dictionary
Can-toi — and they later made appearances in the final three Dark Tower books. TOC DescriptionCharacteristicsMarvel s Dark Tower Almanac describes the can toi as being the results of human/taheen interspecies mating, and that they tend to exhibit the most… … Wikipedia
seem — v.intr. 1 give the impression or sensation of being (seems ridiculous; seems certain to win). 2 (foll. by to + infin.) appear or be perceived or ascertained (he seems to be breathing; they seem to have left). Phrases and idioms: can t seem to… … Useful english dictionary
seem*/*/*/ — [siːm] linking verb 1) to appear to be something or appear to have a particular quality Going out for lunch seemed like a good idea.[/ex] He seems happy enough to me.[/ex] She seemed to take very good care of herself.[/ex] Susan seems a very… … Dictionary for writing and speaking English
seem to — See can t seem to … Dictionary of problem words and expressions
seem — seem, look, appear can mean to be as stated in one s view or judgment, but not necessarily in fact Often they are used interchangeably with apparently no difference in meaning {he seems tired} {the students look eager} {the orchestra appeared… … New Dictionary of Synonyms
