What’s the difference between SEE LOOK and WATCH?
This is a common question amoung ESL students. Here you have a simple explaination.
SEE is something that you do naturally without really thinking.
Example:
- I opened the door and I saw the cat laying on the porch.
 - Can you see the sign?
 
LOOK is when you make an effort to see something. To focus and concentrate on something. Look is often used with “AT”.
Example:
- Joe looked at the menu before ordering his lunch.
 - Look at that blue bird in the tree.
 
WATCH to look intensely at something for a period of time. (often something that is moving).
Example:
- We watched the plane take off.
 - Do you want to watch a film?
 - We were watching the children play.