seems vs. seems to be vs. seems like
I've noticed that “seems like” is the most commonly used phrase out of the three.
If I were to say that Los Angeles appears to be a nice city, would using any of these three phrases work because “to seem” means to “appear to be”?
- Los Angeles seems a nice city.
- Los Angeles seems to be a nice city.
- Los Angeles seems like a nice city.
Solution 1:
1.Los Angeles seems a nice city. (This is incorrect. You can't use a noun if you don't use 'to be' in this structure)
2.Los Angeles seems/appears to be a nice city. (Both 'seems' and 'appears' can be used here.)
3.Los Angeles seems like a nice city.(Only 'seems' works here)
'seems'/'appears' + adj. = It seems/appears nice.
'seems'/'appears' + to be + Noun phrase = It seems/appears to be a nice city.
'seems' + like + noun phrase - It seems like a nice city.