What's the difference between look, see and watch?

Look at these examples, then choose look, see or watch to complete the rules.

I looked out of the window, and saw a strange man outside my house. He was jumping up and down, and talking to himself. I watched him for a few minutes, and then he walked away.

If something is in front of your open eyes, you can  it.

If you move your head or eyes because you want to see something, you  at it. We always use this verb with a preposition (at, into, over, etc.) to show direction.

If you are looking at something for a period of time (perhaps it's moving or changing), you  it.

Note: You watch or see a film, and you watch or see a TV programme - there isn't much difference. But we always say watch TV (never see TV).

Practice

Choose the best word (look, see or watch) to complete these sentences.

  1. What can you  from your bedroom window?
  2.  at his photographs.
  3. Be quiet! I'm  TV.
  4. Could you  my bag whilst I go to the toilet?
  5. I've never  an elephant.
  6.  an accident while I was walking to work today.
  7. He  at me in surprise.
  8. She  in her bag for her keys.
  9. If I  Tom tonight, I'll tell him what you said.
  10. It's really dark. I can't  anything!
  11. A cat was chasing a bird. I  it for a few minutes, and then the bird escaped.