Look vs Watch vs See

Grammar chart explaining the differences between look,' 'watch,' and 'see' with definitions and example sentences.

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Look, watch, and see are three words which are easily confused. However, though their meanings may be similar, they are entirely different words.

Look

Look is a word that can be used in three different ways: as an action verb, as a sensory verb, and as a noun.

As an action verb

When you look at something, you focus your eyes on that direction.

I spent hours at the art gallery, looking at the wonderful paintings.
What are you looking at?

As a sensory verb

The verb look can also mean ‘seem’ or ‘appear’.

You look tired today.
Sam looks like his father.

As a noun

Look is also a noun.

My computer does not work. Can you have a look?
He had a terrible look in his eyes.

Watch

When we watch something, we look at something that is moving or changing for a long period of time.

I sat there watching the trains come and go.
I’m going to watch the match on television.

See

See means to notice something with your eyes. It’s different from look and watch because it’s unintentional—it happens without you trying to do it.

I can see the sea from my bedroom window.
I saw a shadow on the wall and got scared.

We can also use see in an abstract way to mean ‘understand’, although this is less common.

I see what you mean.

Take the Quiz!

Choose the correct form of look, watch, see for each gap.

Explanation

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