Sembler – Explanation, Example Sentences and Conjugation

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The French verb “sembler” is an important and frequently used verb that translates to “to seem” or “to appear” in English. It is used to express how things appear or seem from a subjective point of view, often reflecting perception or opinion rather than objective reality. The verb “sembler” can be used in various contexts, from describing appearances and impressions to discussing likelihoods or possibilities. As an irregular verb, it is vital to understand its usage to effectively convey nuances in descriptions and perceptions in the French language. Understanding “sembler” allows for a richer expression of thoughts and observations in French communication.

Example sentences

Il semble que nous ayons besoin de plus de temps pour finir ce projet.

Tu sembles fatigué, tu devrais te reposer un peu.

Elle semble très heureuse aujourd’hui, je me demande pourquoi.

Cela semble être une bonne idée, allons-y!

Nous semblons être les premiers arrivés à la fête.

Vous semblez comprendre le problème, pouvez-vous m’expliquer?

Ils semblent connaître cet endroit très bien.

La situation semble s’améliorer progressivement.

Ce livre semble intéressant, je devrais le lire.

Cette solution semble la plus adaptée pour résoudre notre problème.

Conjugation

Present Simple

Je semble fatigué aujourd’hui. (I seem tired today.)

Tu sembles heureux. (You seem happy.)

Il/Elle semble confus. (He/She seems confused.)

Nous semblons prêts pour le test. (We seem ready for the test.)

Vous semblez occupés. (You seem busy.)

Ils/Elles semblent intéressés par le projet. (They seem interested in the project.)

Imperfect

Je semblais plus jeune à l’époque. (I seemed younger back then.)

Tu semblais comprendre la question. (You seemed to understand the question.)

Il/Elle semblait fatigué hier. (He/She seemed tired yesterday.)

Nous semblions perdus dans la ville. (We seemed lost in the city.)

Vous sembliez intéressés par notre proposition. (You seemed interested in our proposal.)

Ils/Elles semblaient heureux ensemble. (They seemed happy together.)

Future Simple

Je semblerai plus confiant demain. (I will seem more confident tomorrow.)

Tu sembleras surpris quand tu verras ça. (You will seem surprised when you see this.)

Il/Elle semblera différent après la chirurgie. (He/She will seem different after the surgery.)

Nous semblerons jeunes pour toujours. (We will seem young forever.)

Vous semblerez plus détendus après les vacances. (You will seem more relaxed after the vacation.)

Ils/Elles sembleront ravis de l’entendre. (They will seem pleased to hear it.)

Past Simple

J’ai semblé surpris par la nouvelle. (I seemed surprised by the news.)

Tu as semblé content de me voir. (You seemed glad to see me.)

Il/Elle a semblé indifférent à la situation. (He/She seemed indifferent to the situation.)

Nous avons semblé déçus par le résultat. (We seemed disappointed by the result.)

Vous avez semblé comprendre le problème. (You seemed to understand the problem.)

Ils/Elles ont semblé satisfaits de leur travail. (They seemed satisfied with their work.)

Conditional

Je semblerais plus jeune avec une autre coiffure. (I would seem younger with a different hairstyle.)

Tu semblerais plus heureux si tu prenais des vacances. (You would seem happier if you took a vacation.)

Il/Elle semblerait plus amical avec un sourire. (He/She would seem friendlier with a smile.)

Nous semblerions plus professionnels avec des uniformes. (We would seem more professional with uniforms.)

Vous sembleriez plus compétents avec une formation supplémentaire. (You would seem more competent with additional training.)

Ils/Elles sembleraient moins stressés avec moins de travail. (They would seem less stressed with less work.)

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