I've just started noticing this word a lot in books. Something about it rubs me the wrong way. For example, I read a book where the following happened

I stumbled to the ground and hit my head. I got back up. The walls and floors seemed to be moving

That struck me as wrong; because since the character is experiencing it, for them the walls don't seem to be moving, they are moving.

I feel like that passage above would be much better if it was rewrote as

I stumbled to the ground and hit my head. I got back up. The walls and floors started to move

It feels more active and definite, and I don't think anyones going to think that the walls and floors are literally moving

There's been many more times when an author has used the word "seem" and it's irked me. The word just feels kind of vague

I'm just wondering if this is just personal preference, or if there is some popular wisdom regarding the word. A quick google didn't bring up anything

posted over 4 years ago

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klippy‭

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