There's more to you and your brothers than it at first seems apparent to the eye.

Xinfu · #1 July 19, 2013, 09:26 PM

-There's more to you and your brothers than it at first seems apparent to the eye.

At the time the speaker speaks this line, the act of seeming should be in the past, why not SEEMED but SEEMS?

**Rusty** · #2 July 19, 2013, 10:43 PM

I would agree that 'seemed apparent' better captures the meaning.

Simplified:
There's more to you than at first seemed apparent.

The phrase 'at first' calls for the past tense form.

chileno · #3 July 19, 2013, 10:53 PM

But it can be used in the present too. Right Rusty?

**Rusty** · #4 July 19, 2013, 11:02 PM

Correct! It depends on what you're trying to say.
If you're referring to the past, you'd use 'seemed'.
If I'm talking about the present, I can certainly say "There's more to you than at first seems apparent."

chileno · #5 July 20, 2013, 05:29 AM

Thank you. It reminded me of the transformers back in the 80's (cartoons)

Xinfu · #6 July 21, 2013, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty

Correct! It depends on what you're trying to say.
If you're referring to the past, you'd use 'seemed'.
If I'm talking about the present, I can certainly say "There's more to you than at first seems apparent."

But even referring to the present, didn't SEEM still happen in the past?

**Rusty** · #7 July 21, 2013, 11:17 AM

Not necessarily. Seeming can persist. 'It seemed' can progress to 'it seems' and 'will seem' in the future.
It depends on what you're trying to say.

Xinfu · #8 July 21, 2013, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty

Not necessarily. Seeming can persist. 'It seemed' can progress to 'it seems' and 'will seem' in the future.
It depends on what you're trying to say.

Thank you, Rusty. But isn't AT FRIST a past time phrase?

**Rusty** · #9 July 22, 2013, 04:55 AM

No, 'at first' can be used with a present tense verb as well as with a past tense verb.

chileno · #10 July 22, 2013, 07:09 AM

Or any other tense...

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There's more to you and your brothers than it at first seems apparent to the eye.

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