The Difference between See Look at Watch - Lesson 1-01

Improve Your English – Lesson 1: The Difference between See/Look at/Watch – Lesson 1

See/Look at/Watch
These terms are often used incorrectly by students of English.

    • Use see when you mean to perceive something with the eyes.
    • Use look at when you mean to use your eyes to see something. Often the thing or things you are viewing does not move or is stationary (such as a painting or photographs)
    • Use watch when the thing you are viewing is moving or changes (such as television or a movie).

Don’t say: Whenever I smoke, my wife sees me with disgust.
Do say: Whenever I smoke, my wife looks at me with disgust.

Don’t say: Did you look at what just happened?
Do say: Did you see what just happened?

Don’t say: I looked at TV until 11:00 PM last night.
Do say: I watched TV until 11:00 PM last night.

Learn more: