1 appear

When something appears, it moves into a position where you can see it.

• A glow of light appeared over the sea.

You also use appear to say that something becomes available for people to read or buy.

• His second novel appeared under the title 'Getting By'.
• It was about the time that video records first appeared in the shops.

When you are mentioning the date or period when something became available, you often use there. For example, instead of saying 'In the 1960s a new type of car appeared', you can say 'In the 1960s there appeared a new type of car'.

• In 1992 there appeared The Private Years, the first volume of The Selected Letters of Bertrand Russell.
• As early as the mid-twenties there appeared on the market chairs, tables and stools designed by Wijdveldt.

Note that in sentences like these you must use there. You do not say, for example, 'In the 1960s appeared a new type of car'.

2 appear to

If something appears to be the case, it seems to be the case. Similarly, if something appears to be a particular thing, it seems to be that thing. Appear to is more formal than 'seem to'.

• I don't appear to have written down his name.
• Their offer appears to be the most attractive.