‘Look’, ‘see’, and ‘watch’ can easily confuse students of English as they all relate to actions done with our eyes. The difference between the three verbs can be explained in the following way… see if you can understand!
Look and watch are action verbs and require intention at different level.
How to use “LOOK”
– To look is an intentional thing and suggests a direction for your eyes. In most cases, the thing we look at doesn’t change its place.
Examples:
- Look! It’s snowing!
- Look at the pictures I took on holiday.
- Look at the moon at night.
How to use “SEE”
– To see something that comes into our sight that we weren’t looking for.
Examples:
- I can see the river from here.
- I saw you driving to work today.
- I suddenly saw a bird fly in front of me.
- I can see a cloud in the sky.
How to use “WATCH”
– To watch is looking at something very carefully and usually moving.
Examples:
- Watch how fast he will run.
- Watch out for your step!
- You can watch the full moon yesterday.
- Watch here you are going! You almost stepped on my foot!
- I like watching motor racing on TV.
