sembler at C1 — refined & idiomatic
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The related noun gives you “to pretend”.
Faire semblant de
Faire semblant de + infinitive means to pretend: « il fait semblant de dormir ». It comes from the same root and is far more common in speech than prétendre — which, incidentally, is a false friend meaning to claim, not to pretend.
À ce qu’il semble — apparently, by all appearances — is a neat connector for writing. And si bon vous semble, “if you see fit”, survives in formal and ironic use.
💡 Focus at this level: Idiomatic — faire semblant
👨🏫 How to use « sembler » at this level
1. « Faire semblant de » = to pretend. Not prétendre.
2. Prétendre = to claim. A false friend worth marking.
3. « À ce qu’il semble » opens a cautious statement.
Il fait semblant de dormir.He’s pretending to be asleep.
À ce qu’il semble, c’est annulé.Apparently, it’s cancelled.
Ne fais pas semblant.Don’t pretend.
Faites comme bon vous semble.Do as you see fit.
🎮 Practise « sembler »
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