The spelling of the word "appear" in IPA phonetic transcription is /əˈpɪər/. The common mistake of adding the letter "b" after the letter "p" to form "appear be" is easily explained. This is because the sound /p/ and the sound /b/ are both made using the same mouth shape and same tongue position, the only difference being whether or not the vocal cords vibrate. In the word "appear", the vocal cords are not necessary, hence the absence of the letter "b". So, the correct spelling is simply "appear".
The term "appear to be" is a phrasal verb that consists of the word "appear" combined with the preposition "to" and the verb "be". It is used to describe a situation or someone's impression that suggests or seems to indicate a particular state, characteristic, or quality of something or someone.
When something "appears to be" a certain way, it means that it seems or feels like it possesses a specific attribute or condition. This phrase often signifies an external or initial observation or judgment, emphasizing the subjective perception rather than the objective reality. It can be employed in various contexts, including physical appearances, emotional states, intentions, or attitudes.
For instance, if a person dresses in formal attire, they may "appear to be" professional or serious. Similarly, a bright smile on someone's face may indicate that they "appear to be" happy or content. However, it should be noted that appearances can sometimes be misleading or deceptive, and judgments about someone or something's nature based solely on external observations may not always be accurate.
In summary, "appear to be" refers to the perception or impression of a particular state, quality, or trait exhibited by someone or something. It conveys the notion that external observations suggest a certain characteristic, while acknowledging that appearances can sometimes be misleading.
The phrase "appear be" does not have a specific etymology as it is not a standalone word or an established phrase in the English language. It seems to be a combination of two separate words, "appear" and "be", which have different origins.
"Appear" comes from the Old French word "aparoir" meaning "come into sight, appear" which originated from the Latin word "apparere" (to be visible, to appear).
On the other hand, "be" is derived from the Old English word "bēon" which comes from the Proto-Germanic word "buan", meaning "to become, to be".