1.appear的基本含义有二:一是“出现”“到达”,指出席或在公共场所露面,也指可以看见或变得清晰起来,较少意味着具有确切地具体的背景或出处。引申为“出演”“出版”“面世”。appear作此解时,是不及物动词,其后常有时间、地点等状语。
2.appear的另一个意思是“似乎”“显得”“看起来好像”,含有因视觉误差、观点限制或他人掩饰而得到的印象与事实并不一定相符的味道。appear作此解时,主要用作系动词,也可用作不及物动词。
3.appear用作系动词,接“to be+ n./adj. ” 或者介词短语、动词不定式或as if/though引导的从句,to be可以省略。当形容词是表语形容词时, to be不可省略。
4.appear用作系动词的句子中可插入to sb,在强调时可移至句首。
This appears (to be)an important matter.
这看来是件重要的事情。
It appears (to be) a true story.
它好像是一个真实的故事。
5.用作不及物动词
(1)S+~(+A)
He promised to be here at four, but didn't appear until six.
他答应四点钟到,但六点钟才来。
The boy suddenly appeared from under the bed.
小男孩突然从床下钻出来。
(2)It ~s/~ed (to sb+)that-clause
It appears that you're right.
看来你是对的。
It appeared that he had a taste for music.
看来他对音乐还有一定的鉴赏力。
(3)There ~s/~ed...
There appears to be several reasons for changing our plan.
看来改变我们的计划有几个理由。
There appeared to be only one room.
看来只有一个房间。