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 be a difficult task.

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 a job interview.

  To seem confident is important in a job interview.

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

  She wants it to seem like she has everything under control.

  She wants it to seem like she has everything under control.

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

  He needs a new outfit to seem more professional.

  He needs a new outfit to seem more professional.

  • "*To seem* more professional" modifies the noun "outfit."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a new outfit *to seem* more professional).

Seeming (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Seeming interested in the conversation is important.

  Seeming interested in the conversation is important.

  • "*Seeming* interested in the conversation" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (important).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy seeming helpful to others.

  I enjoy seeming helpful to others.

  • "*Seeming* helpful to others" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*seeming* helpful to others).
• 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

They plan to seem uninterested during the meeting.

I hope to seem confident in my presentation.

She wants to seem knowledgeable about the topic.

He decided to seem relaxed despite the pressure.

We agreed to seem supportive of their decision.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

They enjoy seeming knowledgeable in discussions.

I recommend seeming interested in the topic.

She dislikes seeming arrogant to others.

He avoids seeming rude in social settings.

Can you imagine seeming invisible to everyone around you?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to seem confident in public speaking. I like seeming confident in public speaking.

He started to seem more outgoing in social situations. He started seeming more outgoing in social situations.

We began to seem interested in their conversation. We began seeming interested in their conversation.