Learn English – the difference between ‘It seems like’ and ‘she seems’

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There are two sentences.

  1. She seems crazy.
  2. It seems like she is crazy.

I don't know the difference between two sentences in meaning.
Could you tell me the difference in meaning between two sentences?

Best Answer

Firstly, both sentences are a subjective opinion given by someone, and they have exactly the same meaning. However, the difference lies in the syntax.

She seems crazy

is considered a personal sentence. This means that it is the opinion of the speaker, and the speaker doesn't shy aware from admitting it.

However,

It seems like she is crazy

is an impersonal sentence (See here for more details and examples). This means that, although it is still the speaker's opinion, they are distancing themselves from it, by saying "It seems that" + their opinion. They are trying to make themselves sound more objective or neutral, even when giving an opinion, which is always subjective.

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