Welcome to twominuteenglish.com. Teaching you English through two-minute lessons.
In this lesson we will learn the difference between similar words: ‘see’, ‘look’ and ‘watch’.
See is used to say that ‘I noticed’. When something is visible to us. For example: I see a bird. Did you see how it was flying?
Yes. We do not have to pay attention when we see things. We can see things when we open our eyes.
That is right Max. In English we sometimes use the word ‘see’ to mean understand. For example: ‘Now I see how the machine works’.
Oh I see that! Here is another example: I can see that his memory is really bad.
Good Max, would you like to see some more examples?
I think this will be good for now. Let’s have a conversation.
Did you see the posters while coming to office today?
Yeah! I saw some people putting them up.
Mr. Smith is running for councillor.
Oh I see. He is a good man. Let’s see if he wins.
To look at something means we are seeing it with our intention. It means our sight is directed towards something.
Yes Carla, look at the difference carefully. We need give an effort to look, but not to see.
For example: When I look at the flowers I remember spring. Here I am looking at the flower on purpose.
I see that! Look also means to search for. For example: If you don’t see the papers on the table, look in the drawer.
Right! Look may also mean a certain condition. For example: The child looks happy today.
I understand from his look that he is happy. He looks different from the picture.
Looking normally refers to something which is not changing.
For example: Look at the mirror. Look at the tree. Look at everything around you.
Correct Carla. Let’s have a conversation now.
Look at Tim, Paul. He looks so cute!
I like his looks when he eats something.
I think he is looking for something to eat again.
If he keeps eating all the time, he will look like a Sumo wrestler.
To ‘watch’ something we need concentration. Watching something means we are looking at it for some time intentionally.
For example: Watch the dog, it might bite.
That is right Paul. Watching normally suggests looking at something which is changing.For example:Watching a movie.
To watch means also to guard something. For example: The watchman watches the building.
My mother told me to watch my younger brother for some time.
Paul, can you give me a sentence that has all these words together?
Yes, sure! Look at how the child is watching the cartoon show so carefully, as if he won’t get to see it again!
Thank you Paul. I think now the difference between see, look and watch is clear to me.
Max, would you watch my dog for some time?
Why don’t you take it with you?
I’m off to watch a movie.
I can’t it watch it the whole day. I have plans.
I’ll be back before 12. Will you please keep it with you till then?
Alright then, but don’t be late.
I can see that his memory is really bad.
Did you see the posters while coming to office today?
Oh I see. He is a good man. Let’s see if he wins.
When I look at the flowers I remember spring.
If you don’t see the papers on the table, look in the drawer.
The child looks happy today
My mother told me to watch my younger brother for some time.
Look at how the child is watching the cartoon show so carefully, as if he won’t get to see it again!
I’m off to watch a movie.