Explaining the Difference: "Look," "See" and "Watch"
"Look" and "see" are two of the most basic verbs that all English learners come across early in their study.
However, since the concepts these words represent can be expressed in just a single word in other languages, many students struggle to understand the differences and uses of each. And adding "watch" to the group can complicate things even further for them.
For students who find themselves confused by this vision-based vocabulary, this article will serve as a handy guide to explaining what makes each word unique and how to use them properly.
Look
Since all of these verbs relate to vision and the eyes, what separates them is the focus of attention. In other words, who or what is being looked at, watched or seen.
Starting with look, it is most often used to refer to objects as well as things or scenes that do not move.
Could you take a look at this report before I submit it?
Don't forget to look both ways before crossing the street.
The children looked away whenever the monster appeared on screen.
However, it can be used to refer to people and living beings.
Who are you looking at?
However, even in uses like this, the person is probably not moving much.
Of the three verbs covered in this article, look is the one most commonly used in the imperative form for giving instructions or commands.
Look at me when I'm talking to you!
Look over there! It's Jim!
For all of these uses, the action is usually quick. This makes it different from watch, which we'll explain next.
In casual speech, look is often used to introduce a bold statement.
Look, I don't know who gave you that information, but it's incorrect.
Students should know that this usage, while very common, is not related to vision or any of the other concepts explained in this article.
Watch
"Watch" is used when directing attention to someone or something in motion. So instead of documents, buildings or a clock, for example, it is used for actions, performances/presentations and processes that take time to complete.
I can do a backflip. Watch!
Would you mind watching my kids while I go to my doctor's appointment?
I watched a really interesting nature documentary last night.
That lecture was duller than watching paint dry.
You can notice the difference between look and watch in the following pair of example sentences:
We sat and looked at the sunset.
We sat and watched the sun set.
Compared to the first sentence about a view or time of day (the noun "sunset"), the second example, about the sun setting, is a process that requires time.
See
"See" is a bit different than the other two verbs. This is because its main nuance is ability — whether or not something can be done.
Jake
Look over there! It's Jim!
Jess
Where is he? I don't see him.
It's difficult for him to see clearly without his glasses.
I put my daughter on my shoulders so she could see the show.
See is also used in documents to refer to different sections.
See page 42 for more details.
Three verbs, three uses
In summary, look is mostly used for subjects that are still and don't move, while watch focuses on subjects in motion. Looking can usually be done quickly, while watching often takes some time.
As for see, it is more about ability — whether something/someone is or is not visible. Additionally, it is almost never used imperatively even though that is common for the other two verbs.
Again, these concepts may be expressed with only one word in a student's native language, so they may need a bit of time to fully understand what makes each of these terms unique in English.
