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-   -   There's more to you and your brothers than it at first seems apparent to the eye. (https://forums.tomisimo.org/showthread.php?t=16513)

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


Xinfu July 19, 2013 09:26 PM

There's more to you and your brothers than it at first seems apparent to the eye.
 
-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 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 July 19, 2013 10:53 PM

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

Rusty 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 July 20, 2013 05:29 AM

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

Xinfu July 21, 2013 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty (Post 140537)
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 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 July 21, 2013 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty (Post 140585)
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 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 July 22, 2013 07:09 AM

Or any other tense...

Xinfu July 22, 2013 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty
"There's more to you than at first seems apparent." .

Thank you, Rusty.

But when does/did this SEEM take place if not in the past?

AngelicaDeAlquezar July 22, 2013 11:55 AM

"When you look at it for the first time" --That's a present. ;)

chileno July 22, 2013 02:25 PM

What is your native language?
:)


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