Seem vs. Seems – Complete Usage Guide (With Examples)

Understanding when to use “seem” or “seems” can be tricky, especially for English learners. These words are often confused because they look similar but have different grammatical uses. “Seem” and “seems” are both forms of the verb that express appearance, impression, or perception. Choosing the correct form depends on the subject-verb agreement, which is a fundamental rule in English grammar.

Many people struggle with sentences like, “He seem tired” versus “He seems tired.” Using the wrong form can make a sentence sound awkward or incorrect. In this guide, we will break down the rules with easy examples so you can understand the difference clearly. You’ll learn when to use “seem” with plural subjects and “seems” with singular subjects, and how context can affect your choice.

By the end of this post, you’ll not only know the correct usage but also feel confident spotting mistakes in everyday writing or speaking. Whether you’re writing essays, emails, or casual conversations, mastering “seem vs seems” will improve your grammar and make your English sound more natural. Let’s dive into the simple rules, practical examples, and tips that will help you use these verbs effortlessly.

Why “Seem” and “Seems” Confuse English Learners

“Seem” is a linking verb, which means it connects the subject of a sentence with a description or a state of being. For example:

• “She seems tired.”
• “They seem excited about the trip.”

The confusion arises because the verb changes depending on the subject and tense. Learners often:

• Use seems with plural subjects: “They seems happy” (incorrect)
• Use seem for third-person singular: “He seem tired” (incorrect)

By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly which form to use in every situation, with examples across all tenses.

Understanding “Seem” as a Linking Verb

A linking verb connects the subject of a sentence to a complement—usually an adjective, noun, or clause that describes or identifies it.

Unlike action verbs like “run” or “eat,” linking verbs don’t show physical action. They describe a state or condition.

Examples:

• “The soup seems cold.” (describes the soup)
• “He seems the right person for the job.” (connects subject to noun complement)
• “I seem confused.” (describes your state)

Other common linking verbs include be, appear, feel, look, become. Using “seem” correctly will make your sentences sound more natural and professional.

Subject-Verb Agreement Basics

Subject-verb agreement is the backbone of English grammar. The verb must match the subject in number (singular/plural) and person (first, second, third).

For seem and seems:

Subject Type	Correct Form
I	seem
You	seem
We	seem
They	seem
He / She / It	seems

Notice how only third-person singular subjects use “seems.” This rule stays consistent across tenses.

Quick tip: Ask yourself “Does the subject stand alone as he, she, or it?” If yes, use seems. Otherwise, use seem.

Using “Seem” in First and Second Person

When talking about yourself or addressing someone, use “seem”, never “seems.”

Examples in present tense:

• “I seem tired today.”
• “You seem upset about the news.”
• “We seem ready for the project.”

In past tense, it becomes:

• “I seemed nervous before the interview.”
• “You seemed distracted during the meeting.”

In future tense, add “will”:

• “I will seem more confident after practice.”
• “You will seem more approachable if you smile.”

Notice that the verb never changes in first or second person, which simplifies things for learners.

Using “Seems” for Third-Person Singular

For third-person singular subjects—he, she, it, or any singular noun—use seems.

Examples:

• “He seems interested in joining the team.”
• “She seems happy with her new job.”
• “The solution seems too complicated for beginners.”

Identifying Third-Person Singular Subjects

• Single proper nouns: John, Maria, Paris
• Singular pronouns: he, she, it
• Singular nouns: book, idea, problem

Tip: If you’re unsure, replace the subject with he or she. If “seems” sounds correct, you’ve got it right.

Common Sentence Structures with “Seem” and “Seems”

Simple Sentences

Structure: Subject + seem/seems + complement

• Adjective complement: “The weather seems cold.”
• Noun complement: “She seems the right candidate.”
• Prepositional complement: “It seems in order.”

Complex Sentences

• With clauses: “It seems that he is late.”
• With modals: “She seems to be enjoying the movie.”
• Negatives: “He doesn’t seem convinced by the argument.”

Using seem in complex sentences is common in formal writing and academic contexts. It helps express perception, doubt, or possibility.

Seem vs. Seems: How to Decide Which to Use

Choosing between seem and seems is simple if you follow these steps:

1. Identify the subject (I, you, we, they, he, she, it, or a noun).
2. Check the number and person: singular or plural, first, second, or third person.
3. Apply the rule:
   • Third-person singular → seems
   • All other subjects → seem

Quick Reference Table

Subject Type	Correct Verb
I / you / we / they	seem
He / she / it	seems
Singular nouns	seems
Plural nouns	seem

Mini-Exercises

• “The cake ___ delicious.” → seems (cake = singular)
• “They ___ happy about the results.” → seem (they = plural)
• “I ___ ready to leave.” → seem (I = first person)

Examples in Different Tenses

Using seem and seems correctly requires understanding tense. Here’s a breakdown:

Present Tense

Subject	Sentence Example
I	I seem tired
He	He seems excited
They	They seem ready

Past Tense

Subject	Sentence Example
I	I seemed nervous
She	She seemed annoyed
We	We seemed prepared

Future Tense

Subject	Sentence Example
I	I will seem confident
He	He will seem confused
They	They will seem motivated

Progressive / Continuous Forms

• “She seems to be enjoying the party.”
• “It seems to be raining outside.”

Notice that “seems” or “seem” remains linked to the subject, while the auxiliary “to be” handles tense or aspect.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even advanced learners sometimes trip over seem vs. seems. Here are the top pitfalls:

1. Using “seems” with plural subjects
   • Wrong: “They seems ready.”
   • Correct: “They seem ready.”
2. Using “seem” for third-person singular
   • Wrong: “He seem tired.”
   • Correct: “He seems tired.”
3. Ignoring subject-verb agreement in compound subjects
   • Wrong: “John and Mary seems happy.”
   • Correct: “John and Mary seem happy.”
4. Overusing “seems” instead of synonyms
   • “Seems” is versatile, but sometimes appears, looks, or feels fits better:
     • “It looks like rain” vs. “It seems like rain.”

Advanced Usage and Nuances

Using “Seem” with Modals

Modals add nuance to perception:

• “It might seem complicated at first.”
• “She could seem unfriendly, but she’s nice.”
• “They should seem prepared for the exam.”

Expressing Doubt or Uncertainty

“Seem” often conveys tentative judgment:

• “He seems tired, but he might just be quiet.”
• “The plan seems reasonable, though it needs more detail.”

Idiomatic Patterns

• “All things seem possible when you try.”
• “It seems like ages since we last met.”

These subtle differences make your English sound more natural and fluent.

Quick Reference Cheatsheet

Subject Type	Present	Past	Future	Progressive Example
I / you / we / they	seem	seemed	will seem	seem to be working
He / she / it / singular nouns	seems	seemed	will seem	seems to be working

Dos and Don’ts

• Match verb with subject number and person
• Use “seem” for first/second person and plural nouns
• Use “seems” for third-person singular subjects
• Don’t use “seems” with plural nouns
• Don’t forget agreement in compound sentences

Practice Exercises

Fill in the blanks with seem or seems:

1. The sky ___ cloudy today.
2. I ___ ready to start the meeting.
3. They ___ excited about the trip.
4. She ___ confused by the instructions.
5. The new movie ___ interesting.

Answers: 1. seems, 2. seem, 3. seem, 4. seems, 5. seems

Conclusion

Mastering the difference between “seem” and “seems” is easier than it looks once you understand the subject-verb agreement rules. Remember: “seems” is used with singular subjects, while “seem” pairs with plural subjects or general statements. Using the correct form makes your sentences sound natural, clear, and grammatically correct.

Practical practice with examples, like “She seems happy” or “They seem excited”, will help you internalize the rules quickly. Over time, spotting which form to use will become instinctive, improving both your writing and speaking skills. Whether you are learning English, writing professional emails, or simply communicating more effectively, this guide gives you the confidence to use seem vs seems correctly every time.

FAQs

1. Can I use “seem” for a singular subject?

No. For singular subjects, always use “seems.” Example: “He seems tired,” not “He seem tired.”

2. Can “seem” be used with plural subjects?

Yes. Use “seem” with plural subjects. Example: “They seem happy.”

3. Is “seems” ever used with plural subjects?

No. Using “seems” with plural subjects is grammatically incorrect.

4. Can “seem” and “seems” be used in questions?

Yes. Example: “Does she seem okay?” or “Do they seem ready?”

5. Are “seem” and “seems” formal or informal?

They are neutral and can be used in both formal and informal writing.