To Seem vs Seeming Infinitives & Gerunds

When and How to Use Each Expression?

Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!

To seem (Infinitive)

Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to seem" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action

Example

It seems to swim in the ocean is a popular activity.

Seeming (Gerund)

Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "seeming" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.

Example

Seeming confident can make a positive impression.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To seem (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To seem confident is important in job interviews.

  To seem confident is important in job interviews.

  • "*To seem* confident" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (important in job interviews).
• 2. Object

  She wants it to seem like she can swim.

  She wants it to seem like she can swim.

  • "It *to seem* like she can swim" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (it *to seem* like she can swim).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a good reason to seem interested.

  I need a good reason to seem interested.

  • "*To seem* interested" modifies the noun "reason."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a good reason *to seem* interested).

Seeming (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Seeming busy doesn't always mean being productive.

  Seeming busy doesn't always mean being productive.

  • "*Seeming* busy" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (doesn't always mean) + adjective phrase (being productive).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy his seeming genuine in his compliments.

  I enjoy his seeming genuine in his compliments.

  • "*Seeming* genuine in his compliments" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + possessive pronoun (his) + gerund (*seeming* genuine in his compliments).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for seeming confident in any situation.

  She has a talent for seeming confident in any situation.

  • "For *seeming* confident in any situation" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *seeming* confident in any situation).

Verbs Taking Infinitives/Gerunds as Objects

The following are verbs that can take only the base form of the verb (infinitive), only the -ing form (gerund), or both.

Verbs Taking Infinitives as Objects

• plan
• hope
• want
• decide
• agree

Example

He plans to seem calm during the presentation.

They hope to seem knowledgeable about the topic.

She wants to seem approachable and friendly.

We decided to seem more professional in our attire.

They agreed to seem interested in the discussion.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys seeming knowledgeable about various topics.

They recommend seeming interested in the company's goals.

I dislike his seeming arrogant all the time.

She avoids seeming unprepared for important meetings.

Can you imagine yourself seeming confident in public speaking?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to seem knowledgeable in front of others. I like seeming knowledgeable in front of others.

He started to seem more assertive in his communication. He started seeming more assertive in his communication.

We began to seem more organized in our approach. We began seeming more organized in our approach.