Seem or Seems – Easy Usage Guide (With Examples)

When learning English, one tricky part is knowing when to use seem or seems, and this guide makes it easy with clear examples. Understanding the difference is key to speaking naturally, as seem pairs with plural nouns like “they” or “we,” while seems fits singular nouns like “he,” “she,” or “it.” A small change in form can greatly affect meaning, so noticing this subtlety ensures your sentences sound correct and confident.

Daily practice with examples is the best way to master this concept. Sentences like “He seems tired” or “They seem excited” highlight the rule simply. By observing these patterns and keeping it simple, anyone can confidently use seem and seems correctly, improving fluency and clarity in English communication.

What “Seem” and “Seems” Mean

At its core, seem is a linking verb that connects the subject of a sentence to a state, quality, or condition. It’s used to express perception or appearance rather than definitive fact.

• Seem is used for plural subjects or for first and second person:
  • I seem tired today.
  • They seem excited about the trip.
• Seems is the third-person singular form:
  • He seems tired.
  • The situation seems complicated.

Key point: The choice between seem and seems depends entirely on subject number and person, not tense or meaning.

Subject-Verb Agreement Essentials

Correct usage of seem and seems relies on proper subject-verb agreement. A verb must match its subject in number (singular or plural) and person (first, second, or third).

Tips to identify the subject correctly:

• Check if the subject is singular or plural.
• Determine if it’s first-person (I/we), second-person (you), or third-person (he/she/it/they).
• Remember: collective nouns like “team” or “group” can be tricky- they often take seems in American English if treated as singular.

Subject Type	Correct Form	Example Sentence
First person singular	seem	I seem tired after the workout.
Second person	seem	You seem happy today.
Third person singular	seems	She seems busy this afternoon.
Plural subjects	seem	They seem excited about the trip.

Understanding this table will instantly clarify many common mistakes.

Using “Seems” Correctly

Seems is reserved for third-person singular subjects. This includes he, she, it, or any singular noun. Misusing seems with plural subjects is a frequent error among learners.

Examples with “seems”:

• John seems nervous about the interview.
• It seems impossible to finish on time.
• The movie seems interesting.

Pro tips for avoiding mistakes:

• If your subject is singular, default to seems.
• Collective nouns like “team,” “audience,” or “committee” usually take seems when considered as a single unit.

Example:

• The team seems motivated after the coach’s speech.

Using “Seem” Correctly

Seem is versatile and used with first-person, second-person, and plural subjects. You also use seem when discussing plural nouns or multiple people/objects.

Examples with “seem”:

• I seem a bit distracted today.
• You seem confident in your answer.
• We seem ready for the challenge.
• The children seem happy after the game.

Important note: Even when a sentence is long or complex, seem and seems follow the same rules.

Example:

• The books on the shelf seem organized, but the papers on the desk seem messy.

Examples Across Tenses

Seem and seems are not limited to present tense. They adapt naturally across past, future, and perfect tenses. Here’s a practical breakdown:

Present Tense:

• Singular: She seems tired today.
• Plural: They seem happy with the results.

Past Tense:

• Singular: He seemed confused yesterday.
• Plural: The students seemed excited after the lecture.

Future Tense:

• Singular: It will seem difficult at first.
• Plural: The problems will seem manageable after discussion.

Perfect and Continuous Tenses Examples:

• She has seemed upset all morning.
• They have seemed enthusiastic about the project.
• It has been seeming strange lately.

Tip: Always align the verb form with the subject, not other nouns or objects in the sentence.

Common Mistakes Learners Make

Even advanced learners trip over seem vs seems. Here are the most frequent errors:

• Using seems with plural subjects:
  • ❌ They seems tired. → ✅ They seem tired.
• Using seem with third-person singular:
  • ❌ She seem happy. → ✅ She seems happy.
• Confusing collective nouns:
  • ❌ The audience seem excited. → ✅ The audience seems excited.

Quick tip: If unsure, identify the core subject of the sentence first.

Advanced Usage Tips

There seems vs. There seem: This structure often confuses learners.

• Singular: There seems to be a problem with the printer.
• Plural: There seem to be several issues with the system.

Idiomatic expressions with seem:

• Things seem to be going well.
• He seems to know what he’s doing.

Stylistic nuance: In formal writing, “seem” is often preferred over “appears” for a softer, less assertive tone.

Example of complex sentence usage:

• Although the instructions seem complicated at first, they become clear after careful reading.

Quick Reference Cheat Sheet

Here’s a simple one-page guide to instantly know which form to use:

Subject	Correct Form	Example Sentence
I / We / You / They	seem	We seem ready for the challenge.
He / She / It / John	seems	John seems nervous about the meeting.
Plural nouns	seem	The cats seem tired.
Collective singular noun	seems	The committee seems happy with results.

Practice Exercises

Fill in the blanks:

1. He ______ (seem/seems) tired after the long flight.
2. The students ______ (seem/seems) ready for the test.
3. I ______ (seem/seems) confused about the instructions.
4. There ______ (seem/seems) a mistake in this report.

Answers with explanations:

1. seems → third-person singular
2. seem → plural subject
3. seem → first-person singular
4. seems → singular “mistake” is the subject

Conclusion

Mastering seem vs seems is more than just memorizing rules- it’s about understanding subject-verb agreement and how verbs interact with different subjects. While seems is reserved for third-person singular subjects like he, she, it, or any singular noun, seem works seamlessly with first-person, second-person, and plural subjects. Once you internalize this distinction, constructing sentences becomes effortless, whether in casual conversation or formal writing.

Remember that English is full of exceptions and nuances. Collective nouns, idiomatic expressions, and complex sentences may initially seem confusing, but applying the core rules consistently will resolve most issues. For example, sentences like “There seems to be a problem” or “They seem excited about the results” illustrate that alignment between subject and verb is key.

Practice is crucial. Regularly reading, listening, and writing sentences using seem and seems will improve fluency. Exercises, cheat sheets, and real-life examples help reinforce the rules. Over time, your brain will naturally identify the subject and automatically select the correct verb form.

By focusing on these principles, you also reduce common errors such as using seems with plural subjects or seem with third-person singular. Paying attention to sentence structure, tense, and context ensures your writing and speech sound natural and confident.

Ultimately, mastering seem vs seems not only improves grammar but also enhances clarity and professionalism in communication. Whether you are writing an essay, preparing a report, or simply conversing, understanding this subtle distinction will make your English accurate, polished, and expressive. Consistent practice combined with reference tools, examples, and exercises will cement your knowledge, giving you the confidence to write and speak with precision every time.

FAQs

When should I use “seems” instead of “seem”?

Use seems with third-person singular subjects like he, she, it, or any singular noun. It’s a subject-verb agreement rule. For example: “The teacher seems tired” or “It seems impossible.” Avoid using seems with plural subjects like they or we, where seem is correct.

Can “seem” be used in past or future tenses?

Yes. Both seem and seems adapt to tenses. Past tense: “He seemed happy yesterday.” Future tense: “They will seem confident tomorrow.” Ensure you match the verb form with the subject number, not the time.

How do collective nouns affect seem vs seems usage?

Collective nouns like team, audience, or committee are usually singular in American English. Therefore, they take seems: “The team seems ready for the game.” Treat them as plural only if context emphasizes individual members.

Are there common mistakes to watch out for?

Yes. Common mistakes include using seems with plural subjects (They seems happy ❌) and seem with third-person singular (She seem tired ❌). Always identify the subject before choosing the verb.

How can I practice using seem and seems effectively?

Practice by reading aloud, writing sentences, and doing fill-in-the-blank exercises. Use real-life examples, such as describing people or situations around you. Creating tables or cheat sheets helps reinforce the rules, making correct usage intuitive over time.