See vs. Look vs. Watch

As you can see, these verbs are very similar when it comes to meaning. However, today we're gonna teach you all there is about their little differences.

What Is Their Main Difference?

All these three are verbs that refer to using your eyes to recognize something or someone. However, when you 'see' something, you simply notice that it exists, but when you 'look' at something/someone, you start directing your eyes in that direction, and when you 'watch' somethin/someone, you actually take your time to understand them and pay attention to them.

Differences

As stated above, 'see' refers to simply noticing the existence of something/someone. Check out the examples below:

Yea, I saw you but I don't care about you anymore.

Can you not see me standing here?

'Look' is when someone starts turning their head in a particular direction to pay attention to something/someone. Take a look at the examples below:

Instead of staring at the wall, you can choose to look at me while talking to me, you know.

Jane pointed her finger towards me and shouted: 'Look at her.'

Having said all that, 'watch' refers to taking time to actually pay attention to something/someone with your eyes. Below, there are useful examples for you:

Did you watch the series I told you about?

You enjoyed watching me fool myself only because I loved you.

Similarities

All three of them refer to using your eyes to recognize something/someone. Take a minute to look at the examples below:

For a moment, I think I saw someone wave at me in the middle of the desert.

Let me look at the wound first.

It seems that we cannot do anything but watch our city burn down.

Are They Interchangeable?

Although they all refer to recognizing something/someone with your eyes, they cannot be used interchangeably because the sentence would be completely wrong. Even if it is grammatically correct, the meaning will change. Compare:

✓ I've seen Russia before but I never really enjoyed it.

X I've looked Russia before but I never really enjoyed it.

As you can see, this sentence is grammatically wrong.

X I've watched Russia before but I never really enjoyed it.

Here, the sentence is grammatically correct, but it makes no sense.

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