See, watch, look: what is the difference?

We are continuing a series of articles on synonyms that can confuse a beginner to learn English. What is really there, today in our compilation there is an extremely productive verb look, which makes up about a dozen phrasal verbs with different meanings. But first things first.

See

This verb describes one of our senses. “To see something” means to see something that comes into your field of vision, even if you don’t really want to see it. In some ways, this verb is similar to the verb “to notice” , “notice” .

Examples :
I saw Trevor at the shopping center yesterday.
Did you see my new bag?
Also the verb "to see" can be used in the meaning of "see":
We'll see how it goes. If this option doesn’t work for him, we'll find something else.
We can find it.

And another common meaning of this verb is “to understand,” that is, a synonym for the verb “to understand”:
-I couldn't write it yesterday.
-Oh, I see.

By the way, in colloquial English you can hear the phrase “you see” while explaining something, akin to our “do you understand?” . True, the letter "you see" does not need a question mark. Americans often replace this phrase with “you see / know what I mean?” . Of course, this will allow you to revive the speech, but you should not abuse these phrases.

Here are a couple of innocuous examples using “you see”:
They had no children. They married late, you see.
He's not quite fast, you see. Got almost zero chance to win the race.

The verb “to see” can also be used to mean “visit or see someone” , “visit a place”:
I went to my parents at the weekend.
Have you seen Laura lately?

Another popular expression see you later means see you later.

Few people know, but the verb “to see” is a phrasal one and can change meaning depending on the preposition that follows it. For example, see about - arrange, organize, see into - escort inside the premises, see out - escort from the premises, see off - escort someone to leave or drive away, see through - do something from and to, and also see someone see through (when a person is lying), see to - provide something, take care of something.

And do not forget the interesting point: in Russian, we just say “I see , ” “I hear,” and in English they don’t say that. Be sure to add the verb “can” : “I can see you!” , “I can hear you” .

Watch

Unlike the verb “to see” , where we see something regardless of our desires, the verb “to watch” is used for quite voluntary and long-lasting actions and means to “watch” , “watch ”. Students usually immediately say “watch films” , and in this phrase the verb is used correctly, because we have been watching films for a long time.

Here are some more examples with this verb:
We watch TV every evening.
My cat likes watching what's happening in the garden.

Pay attention to two important points. Firstly, if you look at a person, then it is better to use the verb “to look” , because if you say “I watched him” , then it will mean “I watched him / a” . Agree, "looked" and "watched" - two different concepts. Secondly, if you want to say “I went to watch a movie yesterday” or “I saw this movie” , it will not be “watch” , but “see” .

For example:
'Bladerunner'? Yeah, I've seen it.

“Watch” is rather a process, and in our example they talk about the result. And “see” is used when you are talking about the place where you saw the movie. Compare and example:
I watched 'Interstellar' with my friends last night. - I watched the movie at home.
I saw 'Interstellar' last night. - I watched the movie in the cinema.

So if you went to watch a sports match, a movie, a performance in a circus or a performance in a theater, then it will all be "see ."

Look

The basic meaning of this verb is “look , ” “look . ” That is, the action described by this verb lasts a short time. And the difference from the verbs “to see” and “to watch” here will be obvious even in Russian: “see” , “look” and “look” .

For the meaning of “look” to the verb “to look” you need to add the preposition “at” :
Charlie, look at you! All dirty again!
The same meaning gives us the special phrase “to have a look” :
Have a look at his drawings.

A simple exclamation “Look!” Will mean “Look!” , “Look!” .

And, as we said above, “to look ” is a very productive verb. Many different prepositions can be attached to it, and then it completely changes the meaning. Some phrasal verbs with look are completely understandable without a dictionary: look around - look around, look up - look up or look at a word in a dictionary, look away - look away . But there are less obvious ones: look up to - take an example from someone, look for - look, look after - look after, take care. All phrasal verbs with “to look” are easiest to learn by writing down phrases about yourself. If you immediately apply new knowledge, then it will be easier to remember them.

And, of course, do not forget that the verbs “to see” , “to look” and “to watch” are basic. They have a lot of synonyms that will convey shades of meanings. Just like here: “glimpse , ” “stare , ” “stare,” etc. We made you a small selection of synonyms.

See
Detect
Recognize
Observe
View
Notice
Examine

Look
(to) Eye
Inspect
Stare
Gape
Glance
Spot

Watch
Keep an eye on
Scrutinize
Gaze
Keep eyes peeled
Scan
Contemplate

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