Page 223 - Basic English Usage

225 290 — 292

290 see

When see means ‘use one’s eyes’, it is not usually used in progressive
tenses. We often use a structure with can instead (see 81).
I can see a rabbit over there. (NOT #arseeing. .. )

See can also mean ‘understand’. We do not use progessive tenses.
‘We've got a problem.’ | see.’ (NOT #m-seeing.)

When see means meet, interview, talk to, progressive tenses are
possible.
I’m seeing Miss Barnett at four o'clock.
Far the difference between /ook (at), watch and see, see 196.

291 seem

Seem is a ‘copula verb’ (see 91). After seem, we use adjectives, not
adverbs.
seem + adjective
You seem angry about something. (NOT Yewseenrangtily . . . )

We use seem fo be before a noun.
seem to be + noun
| spoke to aman who seemed to be the boss.
Other structures: seem + infinitive; seem like.
seem + infinitive
Ann seems to have a new boyfriend.
seem like
North Wales seems like a good place for a holiday—let’s go there.
...
(NOT ... seems-as-ageed-place )
292 shall

Shall is a ‘modal auxiliary verb’ (see 202). We can use shail instead of
will after /and we.
I'm catching the 10.30 train. What time shall! be in London?
be
(OR ... willl in London?)
Contractions are /'l/, we’lland shan't (see 90).
Pilsee you tomorrow. | shagq’t be late.