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Correct usage of " seem "

Which is correct? What seems to be like good reasons to me OR what seem to be like good reasons to me?

Re: Correct usage of " seem "

Rose Sluga
Which is correct? What seems to be like good reasons to me OR what seem to be like good reasons to me?


Plural "seem" is correct. Here's why:

Depending on the context "what" can be analysed as either singular "The thing which" or plural "The things which".

Plural "reasons" is complement of "what", so "what" must also be interpreted as plural ("The things which") and the verb must follow suit, hence plural "seem". Compare:

They (plural) seem (plural) to be like good reasons (plural) to me.
It (sing) seems (sing) to be like a good reason (sing) to me.

Does that help?

PaulM