Cool MateSeem vs This look like
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Seem
Top 1,000 (very common)A2
This look like
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Seem
| Seem | This look like | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/siːm/","/siːmz/","/siːmd/","/ˈsiːmɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/siːm/","/siːmz/","/siːmd/","/ˈsiːmɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ðɪs lʊk laɪk//🇺🇸 //ðɪs lʊk laɪk// |
| Meaning | to appear or look like something | This appears to be something. |
| Example | They seem happy in their new home. | This look like a great place to eat. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Collocations | seem good, seem happy, seem like | this look like a mistake, this look like fun, this look like trouble, this look like work, this look like the solution |
| Antonyms | be, exist | - |
| Common mistakes | 'Seem' should not be used as a main verb without a complement., Confused with 'look' (look is more about appearance)., Saying 'seems like' is informal; prefer 'seems to be' in writing. | Omitting 'this' before 'look like'., Using 'looks like' instead of 'look like' with 'this'. |
| Usage notes | Use 'seem' when presenting opinions or perceptions that might not be factual. Avoid it in very formal writing where precise wording is required. | Use in casual conversation to describe similarity. Avoid in formal writing; instead, use 'resembles' or 'appears'. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Seem vs This look like
What's the difference between Seem and This look like?
Seem: to appear or look like something This look like: This appears to be something.
Which is more common: Seem and This look like?
Seem is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Seem: They seem happy in their new home. This look like: This look like a great place to eat.
Can I use Seem and This look like interchangeably?
Not always. Seem and This look like are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.