Appear sleeping vs Appear to be sleeping

The phrase 'appear to be sleeping' is correct, while 'appear sleeping' is not a common construction in English. The correct form includes the infinitive 'to be' after 'appear' to indicate the state or action being observed.

Last updated: March 15, 2024 • 851 views

This construction is not commonly used in English.

"Appear sleeping"

The phrase 'appear sleeping' is not correct. To express that someone seems to be sleeping, you should use 'appear to be sleeping.'

Show examples from the web [+]

PC 360 PS3 Sibbi can appear sleeping in the cell to the left of his own. Opening the cell door will allow Sibbi to walk around the jail, with no response from the ...
Jul 14, 2013 ... This concert was the final show on Stevie's 1998 tour to support her box set, Enchanted, on which both of these songs appear. "Sleeping Angel" ...
... Ducrot Y-M & Pattyn N (to appear) Sleeping in Antarctica: disentangling seasonality and altitude effects Aerospace Medicine and Human Performance. Mary A ...
Mar 6, 2015 ... Sleeping Turnip[edit]. His name comes from the Vegetables in Super Mario Bros. 2 in which some appear sleeping. He is often late for work.

Alternatives:

appear to be sleeping
seem to be sleeping
look like they are sleeping
give the impression of sleeping
come across as if they are sleeping

This is the correct and commonly used form in English.

"Appear to be sleeping"

When describing someone who seems to be sleeping, 'appear to be sleeping' is the correct phrase to use. It indicates the observed state or action.

Examples:

She appears to be sleeping peacefully.
The baby appears to be sleeping soundly.
He appears to be sleeping with his eyes closed.
The cat appears to be sleeping on the couch.
They appear to be sleeping in the tent.

Show examples from the web [+]

Apr 7, 2013 ... "Though we appear to be sleeping, there is an inner wakefulness that directs the dream... that will eventually startle us back to the truth of who ...
Some people who appear to be sleeping rough may be engaged in street activities, such as drinking or begging, but in fact have somewhere to stay. They may ...
Some people who appear to be sleeping rough may be engaged in street activities, such as drinking or begging, but in fact have somewhere to stay. It's always ...
The dying person may appear to be sleeping much of the time as s/he begins to withdraw from life. This separation from the world, manifested by decreased.

Alternatives:

seem to be sleeping
look like they are sleeping
give the impression of sleeping
come across as if they are sleeping
look as if they are sleeping

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Appear sleeping vs Appear to be sleeping

"Appear sleeping"

"Appear to be sleeping"

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