SEEM and MATTER

A verb from the SEEM type may function like a copula, being followed by an adjective and with a complement clause in subject function. As mentioned, the complement clause possibilities are determined by the adjective. The semantic profiles of complement clauses described here still apply. Thus, a Modal (FOR) TO clause is appropriate when the complement clause subject is to get involved in some activity, e.g. It appears to be normal for the captain to lead his team onto the field. A THAT clause is likely for describing some state of affairs, e.g. It seems curious that Mary went. And an ING clause may be chosen to describe a durational activity, e.g. John’s walking to work this morning seems strangely out of character.

SEEM verbs can also occur without an adjective, followed by a THAT clause and with impersonal it in subject slot, as in (74a) and (75a). There is a corresponding Judgement TO construction in which the complement clause subject replaces it as surface subject of the SEEM verb, as in (74b) and (75b).

(74a) It seems that Fred wants to go

(74b) Fred seems to want to go

(75a) It seems that Tom is stupid

(75b) Tom seems (to be) stupid

Note that, as is normal with Judgement TO constructions, (74b) and (75b) correspond to THAT constructions with no Modals, in (74a) and (75a). If a Modal were inserted in a sentence like (75a), e.g. It seems that Tom may/ must/could be stupid, then there is no corresponding TO construction.

There is an important difference between a Judgement TO construction with a SEEM verb, as in (74b) and (75b), and a Modal (FOR) TO clause in subject relation (and extraposable) before a SEEM verb, acting as copula, and an adjective, e.g. It seems unusual for him to come home so late. If such a Modal (FOR) TO clause could be replaced by a THAT complement—with similar meaning—then the latter would often include a MODAL, e.g. It seems unusual that he should come home so late.

Matter, and count, from the MATTER type, relate to the fact of some event, not to any potentiality of involvement, or to the durational detail of an activity. They are in view of this restricted to a THAT or WH- complement clause, e.g. That John cheated matters a lot to his mother, and It matters to me who gets to deliver that speech.