Notice vs. Spot

'Notice' and 'spot' both mean to become aware of something but they have subtle differences that we are going to explore in this lesson.

What is the difference between 'notice' and 'spot'?

Both 'notice' and 'spot' mean to become aware of presence of something through the senses or mental processes. However, 'spot' is only used with the sense of sight and indicates that the object is hard to recognize or is being detected. This lesson will clarify the difference between two verbs.

Mental and Sensory Perception

Both 'notice' and 'spot' can indicate mental as well as sensory perceptions. However, when it comes to sensory perception, 'notice' has a wider scope of use and can be applied to various senses such as sight, smell, hearing, etc. On the other hand, 'spot' is primarily associated with visual perception. It specifically refers to the act of visually identifying or recognizing something. Here are some examples:

I noticed a strange noise coming from the engine of my car.

Here, 'notice' refers to sensory perception involving hearing.

I noticed a change in the atmosphere as soon as he walked in.

Here, 'notice' refers to a mental perception.

She quickly spotted her friend in the crowd and waved to get her attention.

'Spotting' is used with the sense of sight.

He's developed a talent for spotting opportunities in every situation.

'Spot' can also be used to refer to a mental process.

Intention to Act

When we say someone 'spots' something, it implies that they not only become aware of it but also take specific actions based on that awareness. Spotting involves actively identifying or recognizing something and then reacting or responding in some way. On the other hand, 'notice' simply refers to the act of becoming aware of something without implying any subsequent action or response. It indicates a passive acknowledgment or recognition of something without necessarily taking any specific steps in relation to it.

I spotted a grammatical error in the report.

When you spot an error, you correct it or tell someone else about it.

I noticed a beautiful sunset on my way home.

Difficulty vs. Spontaneity

'Notice' is a more general term that refers to the act of becoming aware of presence of something through perceiving it by the senses. 'Spot', on the other hand, has a more specific usage and refers to cases where someone sees something that is typically difficult to see. Additionally, 'spot' commonly involves a more deliberate act of identifying or detecting something specific, often in a particular location or among other things. For example:

I couldn't help but notice the bright colors of the flowers in the garden.

'Notice' does not imply a deliberate act of detecting something and can refer to spontaneous realizations.

The detective spotted a clue at the crime scene that led to a breakthrough in the investigation.

'Spot' implies a more deliberate act of detecting something.

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