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Tom seems [to know] a lot of people at this party.
Tom seems [to know] a lot of people at this party.
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In this sentence, why did it use 'to know'? I know that 'to do sth' implies 'will do sth', such as 'I want to see you next time.'.
So, I'm confused about it. I think it should use 'doing sth'.
Thank you very much!
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In this sentence, why did it use 'to know'? I know that 'to do sth' implies 'will do sth', such as 'I want to see you next time.'.
So, I'm confused about it. I think it should use 'doing sth'.
Thank you very much!
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"to do something" does not imply "will do something" on its own. "want to see you" means that the speaker has a desire to see you and will therefore try to see you in the future.
The "to do" or "to see" construction is called the "infinitive" form of a verb. It is used like a noun in a sentence. "Knowing" is not what Tom is doing at the party. Tom is seeming. "to know" describes what he is seeming. He seems to know people.
I like to dance.
He intends to go.
Bob forgot to wear pants.
The "to do" or "to see" construction is called the "infinitive" form of a verb. It is used like a noun in a sentence. "Knowing" is not what Tom is doing at the party. Tom is seeming. "to know" describes what he is seeming. He seems to know people.
I like to dance.
He intends to go.
Bob forgot to wear pants.
Tom seems to know ( = to be acquainted with) a lot of people at the party.
*****
Mona: Do you know Claudia?
Tom: Yes, I do. Claudia is my sister's best friend.
Mona: Do you know Charles?
Tom: Yes, I do. Charles lives next to my parents' house.
Mona: Wow! You SEEM to know a lot of people. ( = It APPEARS that you know many people.)
Tom: Yes, I am acquainted with many people. I am very friendly and like to make new friends.
Mona: Are they all friends?
Tom: Not really. Some are friends. Most are only acquaintances.
(an acquaintance = someone you know, but not a close friend. At your job, you have many acquaintances whom you KNOW.)
*****
Mona: Do you know Claudia?
Tom: Yes, I do. Claudia is my sister's best friend.
Mona: Do you know Charles?
Tom: Yes, I do. Charles lives next to my parents' house.
Mona: Wow! You SEEM to know a lot of people. ( = It APPEARS that you know many people.)
Tom: Yes, I am acquainted with many people. I am very friendly and like to make new friends.
Mona: Are they all friends?
Tom: Not really. Some are friends. Most are only acquaintances.
(an acquaintance = someone you know, but not a close friend. At your job, you have many acquaintances whom you KNOW.)
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