The differences and uses of look, watch, and see.This is the first lesson of the SkimaTalk course Misused and Misunderstood Words for intermediate to advanced English language learners. Written by Michele W. Snider, SkimaTalk teacher and author of My Virtual English dot com.

1. LOOK, WATCH, SEE
Learn the distinction between these words

2. MISUSED AND MISUNDERSTOOD WORDS
Lesson 1: Look, Watch, See Today's Lesson
Lesson 2: Talking Naturally About Nature
Lesson 3: We've Got to Stop Meeting Like This!
Lesson 4: Get Married and Throw a Party
Lesson 5: Especially Strange
Lesson 6: Are you Coming or Going?
Lesson 7: To and Fro with To and For
Lesson 8: A, An, The,or....?

3. English has a very clear
distinction between
looking,
watching,
and seeing.

4. Very simply, if it involves time and/or movement you are watching it.

5. If something isn't moving (like this slide you are reading right now),
you are looking at it.

6. See sometimes means to understand. As in, "I can see how that makes you feel."
See is also used to mean “see clearly.”
Example: I can’t see anything without my glasses.
Seeing is what happens naturally with the eye

7. WATCH = TO CARE FOR OR LOOK AFTER
Webster's Dictionary
gives three definitions
for watch:
1. to look at (someone or
something) for an amount of
time
This is the most common use
of "watch."
For example: we watch
people play sports, and we
watch traffic while we are
driving.
2. to care for (someone or
something) for a period of time
in order to make sure that
nothing bad or unwanted
happens
The woman is watching her
friends' cat while they are
away. Watching in this
context means taking care
of.
3. to give your attention to (a
situation, an event, etc.)
The man has been
watching his stocks.
We can also say, "He has
been keeping an eye on his
stocks." as well.

8. WATCHING CHILDREN CAN MEAN SUPERVISING
Although the man is not looking at the child, he is still watching him.
We can also say the man is looking after, or keeping an eye on the boy.

9. USE "WATCHING" TO MEAN:
1. OBSERVING SOMETHING WITH MOVEMENT,
2. SUPERVISING, OR
3. KEEPING TRACK OF SOMETHING
Demonstrate your understanding by making a sentence for each
meaning.

10. WATCH VERSUS LOOK
Things we look at = observe briefly
• Books/Catalogs/Magazines
• Clothes
• Email/Mail/letters
• Scenery
• Screens of electronic devices
(including televisions)
• Things in a store
Things we watch = observe for awhile
• A "how to" presentation
• Movies
• Plays (theatrical performances)
• Races
• Things we are cooking
• Sports
• TV

11. WATCHED, LOOKED AT, OR SEEN?
Watch Look See
I watched their eyes
widen with surprise.
He looked into her eyes. I could see the sadness
in his eyes.
I watched her wave
good-bye.
We looked at the
passengers waving
good-bye.
I could see him wave
good-bye.
We watched TV. I looked at the TV. I could see the TV.
He watched the clouds
roll by.
She looked at the
clouds.
They saw the clouds.
It's a matter of timing and intent
Demonstrate your understanding by explaining the differences in meaning to your
teacher .

12. COMPLETE THE SENTENCES
BENEATH EACH PICTURE
Watch?
I am ________ at the frog.
I am ________ to see if he will
jump.
I think he _______ me.*
(*more than one answer,
explain the different
meanings)
Look?
I am _______ at Aspen
leaves.
I can ______ that they are
yellow.
I wonder what they will
______ like in a week or two.
See?
We are ______the balloonists. *
(more than one answer,
explain each)
We can ______ (finish the
sentence)
Now, create your own
sentences

13. CREATE YOUR OWN SENTENCES:
MATCH EACH PICTURE WITH
LOOK, WATCH, OR SEE

14. This slide presentation was created by Michele W. Snider, teacher for SkimaTalk,
Inc., and author of
My Virtual English
That's it!
We hope you enjoyed
it!