Datapoint Haitian Creole/Expletive subject in ‘seem’ constructions

As for the verb sanble, the expletive subject construction is optional, whereas for genlè only Value 2 is possible.

Values

An expletive subject is used Frequency: 50.0%

Example 49-183:
Li sanble l gen yon pwoblem.
Li
3sg
sanble
seem
l
3sg
gen
have
yon
def
pwoblem.
problem
He seems to have a problem.
French: Il semble avoir un problème.

Source: Valdman et al. 1996: 308

Example 49-186:
Li sanble l p ap vini ankò.
Li
3sg
sanble
seem
l
3sg
p
neg
ap
inacc
vini
come
ankò.
again
It seems he isn't coming anymore.
French: Il semble qu'il ne viendra plus.

Source: Valdman et al. (eds.) 2007: 650

Confidence:
Intermediate

An expletive subject is not used Frequency: 50.0%

Example 49-184:
Genlè ou malad?
Genlè
seem
ou
2sg
malad?
sick
It seems you're sick?
French: On dirait que tu es malade? OR: Tu as l'air malade?

Source: Valdman et al. (eds.) 2007: 267

Example 49-185:
Sanble l malad wi!
Sanble
seem
l
3sg
malad
sick
wi!
yes
Apparently he/she is really sick !
French: On dirait qu'il/elle est vraiment malade! OR: Il semble qu'il/elle soit vraiment malade!

Source: Valdman et al. (eds.) 2007: 650

Confidence:
Very certain