ESEN
Which one to use?Intermediatenoun / verbverb
SeamvsSeem
'Seam' is the line where two pieces of fabric are sewn together; 'seem' means to give an impression or appear.
Side-by-side comparison
Seam
noun / verb"Seam" (with 'ea') is the line where two pieces of fabric are sewn together. "Come apart at the seams" = to fall apart. Also a layer of coal or mineral within rock.
The seam on her jacket had come apart at the shoulder.
The coal seam ran forty meters below the surface.
The shirt was bursting at the seams after the holidays.
Seem
verb"Seem" (with 'ee') is the verb to give the impression of being something. "It seems like a good idea" = it gives the impression of being a good idea. "She seems tired" = she appears to be tired.
The solution seems straightforward, but the implementation is complex.
It seems like we underestimated the project scope significantly.
She seemed confident during the presentation, despite her nerves.
Common mistake
- •"It seams like a good idea" when meaning "it appears" is wrong (correct: seems).
- •And "The seem ripped" when meaning the stitching is wrong (correct: seam).
Trick to remember it
- •"Seam" has EA like "sew," "thread," "weave", all textile terms.
- •"Seem" has EEM like "deem" and "esteem", words about perception and judgment.
Quick rule
Is it the stitched line joining fabric? "Seam." Is it the verb meaning to appear or give an impression? "Seem."
Did you know?
"Bursting at the seams" literally describes a garment so overfilled that its stitched seam lines are about to split open. Today it describes anything at maximum capacity: "The city is bursting at the seams" (the city is completely overwhelmed with population). A SEAM is not only found in clothing: in geology, a "coal seam" is a layer or vein of coal; in carpentry, the line where two planks join is also a seam. And in baseball, the SEAMS are the red stitching on the ball, which are fundamental to determining how the ball moves through the air.
Practise what you learned
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
The _____ on her dress had come undone at the back.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
You _____ tired today. Did you sleep well?
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Related word pairs
AcceptvsExcept
One means to receive or agree to something, the other means to exclude or not include.
AdvicevsAdvise
'Advice' is the guidance you receive (noun); 'advise' is the act of giving that guidance (verb).
AffectvsEffect
'Affect' is the verb meaning to influence something; 'effect' is the noun meaning result or consequence.
AislevsIsle
'Aisle' is the walkway between rows of seats or shelves; 'isle' is a small island.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy