Apparent 這個形容詞有兩個意思：一是「表面 (上) 的；似乎的」，另一是「顯然的；顯而易見的」。當 apparent 位在名詞前面來修飾該名詞時，它意為「表面 (上) 的；似乎的」，若位在 be 動詞或其他連綴動詞的後面當主詞補語，則意為「顯然的；顯而易見的」。請看下面的例句：
- The teacher was shocked by the parents’ apparent lack of concern about their child’s behavior. (老師感到震驚的是那孩子的父母親似乎毫不關心自己小孩的行為表現)
- Their apparent grief soon turned to laughter. (他們表面上的哀傷立即轉為笑臉)
- It was apparent that he was in no condition to travel. (他的健康狀況顯然不宜旅行)
- The reasons for her sudden departure soon became apparent. (她突然離去的原因不久就一清二楚了)
Apparent 的副詞 apparently 也是這兩個意思。若位在句首，它可能意為「表面上；似乎，看來」或「顯然地；顯而易見地」；若位在句中，尤其是位在 be 動詞後面修飾另一副詞時，它大多意為「顯然地；顯而易見地」。請看下面的例句：
- Apparently he did not succeed. (看來他沒有成功)
- Apparently she never got my letter after all. (顯然她一直都沒有收到我的信)
- He was apparently much surprised at the news. (他對那消息顯然十分驚訝)