Grammar is a language structure with its rules set around the 16th century. By the 19th century, prescriptivism was introduced by Richard M. Hare when people started to follow the rules of how English should be spoken and written.
Grammar consists of morphology and syntax that structures words so the language user can convey his needs and wants. It helps a user to express themselves and for the person conversing with the user to understand in what context a user is speaking.
“Seems like” and “Looks like” both express the thought of probability and they’re both grammatically correct. The only difference is that “Looks like” is used when there’s visual evidence that backs up the probability.
Keep reading to know more.
What Does “Seems Like” Mean?
The word “seem” is a verb frequently used when talking about something that ‘seems’ to be true, is likely to happen, or is a probability of it happening. Just the way I used it in my previous sentence, “…that seems to be true…”
We join “seem” with “like” and use this pattern when we have a reason or some sort of evidence for why we feel like something can happen.
For example:
- It seems like it will be raining all night
Evidence: The sky has black clouds or has been confirmed by the weather reporter who detected it through satellites.
- He seems like a nice guy to me.
Evidence: He must have done something nice or given ‘nice guy’ feelings off himself.
- Those two girls seem like siblings.
Evidence: They might have similar facial features or must have directed each other as sisters.
- This restaurant seems like a good place to dine in.
Evidence: It is likely for the restaurant to have a welcoming and comfortable interior and seating.
Using the first person’s pronoun “I” with the word “seem like” is not usual, but sometimes it is uttered naturally, like in the sentences below.
- If I seem like I was being rude, then forgive me.
- If I seem like I was ignoring you, then you have misunderstood.
- If I seem like I am going to scream, then yes, I am angry.
- I’m sorry to mislead you if I seem interested in you.
“Seem like” can be used in the past tense and the examples below.
- It didn’t seem like she was crying at all.
- They don’t seem like trustworthy tenants.
- They didn’t seem like they were enjoying themselves here.
- He didn’t seem like he would be leaving anytime soon.
Now, we will see the use of “seem like” in actual real conversations between people.
- (1) Let’s get something to eat from the cafeteria
(2) It “seems like” the bell will ring soon.
- (1) It isn’t funny anymore; we can go for a walk.
(2) Yes, but it will rain anytime now.
- (1) The teacher isn’t coming to school today.
(2) It seems like we’ll get a free period then.
- (1) There was a kidnapping in the neighborhood.
(2) Oh, really? It seems like security will be getting tighter in this society.
Using “seems like” is grammatically correct and can be a euphemism when you don’t want to sound rude, like the examples below.
- It seems like you’re doing it incorrectly.
- Seems like you were unable to understand this concept
“Seems like” is a very widely and frequently used verb structure during conversations. There is proof that clearly demonstrates the regular use of this word.
Is It Correct to Say “Looks Like”?
“Look” is a verb, a synonym of “seem”, which means something that appears to be.
When “look” is joined with “like” as an adjective then it makes “looks like” which is used for probable occasions and often used informally.
We can say that “looks like” comes under high-frequency words, and users often find new words to appeal to their audience, such as ” appears that, seems like, sounds like, etc.
It is also safe to say that it is a very common phrase to use during conversations, for example:
- Looks like she will be staying in her room all night
- Looks like it’s going to rain soon
- It looks like we need more flour for the cake.
- Sarah looks like she is going to sleep right this moment.
If you see the examples listed above, you can sense that the sentences above are based on the appearance of the people you are commenting on. For instance, take the last sentence, “Sarah looks like she is going…” if you comment on someone that way. Subsequently, you state what you can perceive on “Sarah’s” face.
So yes, it is correct to say “looks like” as it is a literal synonym of “seems like,” both have similar contexts, just different literal meanings.
How Do You Use “It Seems Like”?
“It seems like” is used when users speak about a noun in a probability. People use it when they mention subject (it) + seems like + sentence altogether in one statement. For example
| Subject + | Seems like + | Sentence |
- It seems like Harry needs a haircut
- It seems like she cried
- It seems like they will arrive any time now
- It seems like we need more time to complete
- It seems like we have to hurry to get there
- It seems like the plants don’t need more water.
As mentioned in the examples above, it is clear that “it seems like” can be used in a sentence when it has a mention of a noun, just like in the first three sentences, and it can be used when there is the use of an independent clause in a sentence like the last three sentences.
The Difference Between “Seems Like”, “Looks Like,” And “Sounds Like.”
Although “seems like”, “looks like,” and “sounds like” mean almost the same thing in context-wise but they have different literal meanings.
“Seems like” is used when someone is judging the other person or the situation, for example, “it seems like it’s going to rain.” Now a person will comment on this based on his evidence (cloudy sky) or what he thinks about the weather (according to geographical factors.)
“Looks like” is used when there is a visual or physical appearance of the situation or the person, for example, “he looks like a kind guy.” Now a person would comment on the personality of what one can see on the faces of others.
“Sounds like” is used when mentioning something similar to something else like “this song sounds like an anthem.” A person would state this when he recognizes a similar beat.
In some sentences, you can interchange seems like with looks like, for example:
| Seems like | Looks like |
| It seems like it will rain. | It looks like it will rain. |
| It seems like she cried. | It looks like she cried. |
| It seems like we will reach soon. | It looks like we will reach soon. |
To learn more about this topic, you can refer to the link below:
Conclusion
- Grammar, which sets language rules, emerged in the 16th century. By the 19th century, prescriptivism defined how English should be spoken and written.
- Grammar consists of morphology and syntax. It allows language users to convey their needs and others to understand the context.
- “Seems like” and “looks like” both express probabilities. These differ in visual evidence, with “looks like” needing visual support.
- “Seem like” uses “seem” and “like” to express likelihood based on reasons or evidence.
- “Looks like” is an adjective describing probable situations informally based on appearance.
- Both are correct verb structures with similar contexts but different literal meanings.
- “Sounds like” is another similar structure. It is used when describing something similar to something else.
- In summary, “seems like” and “looks like” are grammatically correct and interchangeable. The difference is mainly in literal meanings, highlighting their similarity.
To read more about the language usage, check my article on “See you around” VS “See you later”: A Comparison.