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Which one to use?Intermediateverboverbo
FeelvsSeem
"Feel" is an internal or physical sensation; "seem" is an external impression others perceive.
Side-by-side comparison
Feel
verboTo be in a certain state emotionally or physically. Also: to touch or examine by touch.
I feel tired today. I didn't sleep well last night.
How do you feel about the new project?
The fabric feels incredibly soft. What is it made of?
Seem
verboTo give the impression of being something. What others perceive from the outside.
You seem tired today. Are you okay?
That idea seems complicated, but let's hear more about it.
It seems like it might rain later. The sky is getting dark.
Common mistake
- •"I seem tired" when describing your own sensation is imprecise: it implies others see it from outside.
- •If it is your direct experience, use "I feel tired".
- •And "seem" is more natural than "feel" for objects or situations: "the problem seems complicated".
Trick to remember it
- •Doctor to patient: "you seem pale" (I see it from outside).
- •Patient to doctor: "I feel dizzy" (I experience it from inside).
- •Internal experience: "feel".
- •External perception: "seem".
Quick rule
- •"Feel" = internal experience (I sense it).
- •"Seem" = external perception (others see it in you or in something).
Did you know?
"Feel" and "seem" are linking verbs, like "look", "sound", "smell", "taste", and "appear". They all function like "ser/estar" in Spanish, connecting the subject to an adjective: "she feels happy", "it seems strange", "that smells delicious." What distinguishes them from action verbs is that they do not take a direct object. In "I feel happy", "happy" describes the subject, it is not the object of any action.
Practise what you learned
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
That _____ s strange. I have never heard of anything like it before.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
I _____ tired today. I didn't sleep well last night.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Related word pairs
LookvsSeem
Both can mean 'parecer', but one is based on visual appearance and the other on general impression.
ThinkvsBelieve
"Think" expresses an opinion or assumption; "believe" expresses conviction or faith.
AbovevsOver
"Above" is at a higher level without contact; "over" implies covering, movement, or crossing.
ActuallyvsReally
"Actually" corrects or contrasts an assumption; "really" intensifies or confirms.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy