Abstract:

Here is the historical development of the phrase "it seems" (haoxiang):a verbal phrase consisting of a verb and its modifier→a verb meaning "seem"→ an adverb meaning "seemingly"→a conjecture modal adverb→a circumbendibus modal adverb→a discourse marker.The usage of a discourse marker is developed in modern spoken Chinese,but its unique discourse function has been paid very little attention in the academic circle.Hence,it is necessary to study it at a deeper level.

Key words: it seems, phrase, verb, discourse marker