1. 表示“出现”、“露面”、“到达”等，是不及物动词。如：
雨后天空出现彩虹。
正：A rainbow appeared in the sky after the rain.
误：A rainbow was appeared in the sky after the rain.
2. 表示“似乎”、“好像”，是连系动词，其后可接形容词、名词、不定式等作表语。如：
He appears (to be) honest [an honest man]. 他似乎是一个诚实的人。
3. 在 it appears 后可接 that 从句或 as if 从句。如：
It appears that he is very tired. 他似乎很累了。
It appears as if he has lost interest in his job. 看来他对自己的工作已失去了兴趣。
【注】后接 that 从句时，有时可用 so, not 代之。如：
A：Are they reliable? 他们可靠吗?
B：It appears so (not). 似乎是可靠的(不可靠)。
比较以下同义句型：
It appears that he is ill. ＝He appears to be ill. 他似乎病了。