Про то, что после seem может и не употребляться инфинитив to be, написано сразу выше:
2 seem and seem to be
Seem is often followed by to be. We prefer seem to be when we are talking about objective facts - things that seem definitely to be true. Seem is used without to be when we are talking about subjective impressions. (The difference is not always clear-cut, and both are often possible.) Compare:
- The bus seems to be full.
She seems excited.
- The doctors have done the tests, and he definitely seems to be mentally ill.
It seems crazy, but I think I'm in love with my bank manager, (not It seems to be crazy . . .)
- According to the experts, the north side of the castle seems to be about 100 years older than the rest.
He seems older than he is. (not He seems to be older than he is - this would suggest that he might actually be older than he is.)
- She doesn’t seem to be ready yet.
She seems (to be) very sleepy today.
3 with nouns
Seem to be is normal before noun phrases.
I looked through the binoculars: it seemed to be some sort of large rat. (not . . . it seemed some sort of large rat.)
I spoke to a man who seemed to be the boss, (not . . . who seemed the boss.)
However, to be can be dropped before noun phrases which express more subjective feelings, especially in British English.
She seems (to be) a nice girl.
The cup seemed almost doll’s size in his hands.
It seems a pity, but I can’t see you this weekend, (not It seems to be a pity . . .)
Так что достаточно поместить вопрос в более широкий контекст.
there seems no, there seems to be no.
После seem там разные сущ. встречаются.
Кроме seem, в аналогичной роли может выступить и другой linking verb, аналогичный to be, -
appear (у Свона - отсылка:
Appear is used in similar ways (► 374).):
there appears no, there appears to be no.
Можно посмотреть, сколько примеров и в прошедшем времени.
UPD. Есть и без отрицательного NO:
there seems a
