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SomeMichGuy · M
Forms of the verb "to look" are used more in the imperative mood:
"Look at that beautiful sunrise."
"Look at this [pointing at something or giving it to you]."
"Look out!" [when you are in danger BEING in danger or endangering others]
"Look for me; I'll be in about the middle of the third row."
Note that this is grammatically the imperative mood, telling the person spoken to do something, even if delivered as a suggestion.
This is similar for both "to watch" and "to listen":
"Watch out!" (obviously a command)
"Watch for falling rocks" (a road sign in the American West)
"Watch for deer", etc.
All directives.
"Listen! Do you hear <that|the bird|the vehicle|that squeak|something that sounds like a baby crying>?"
"Now listen, you'll be looking for the RED number, not the BLUE number."
"Listen up! There will be no admission after the performance begins."
All, again, are directing people to pay attention, etc.
"Look at that beautiful sunrise."
"Look at this [pointing at something or giving it to you]."
"Look out!" [when you are in danger BEING in danger or endangering others]
"Look for me; I'll be in about the middle of the third row."
Note that this is grammatically the imperative mood, telling the person spoken to do something, even if delivered as a suggestion.
This is similar for both "to watch" and "to listen":
"Watch out!" (obviously a command)
"Watch for falling rocks" (a road sign in the American West)
"Watch for deer", etc.
All directives.
"Listen! Do you hear <that|the bird|the vehicle|that squeak|something that sounds like a baby crying>?"
"Now listen, you'll be looking for the RED number, not the BLUE number."
"Listen up! There will be no admission after the performance begins."
All, again, are directing people to pay attention, etc.
hutaolover101 · 26-30, F
I'm not good at grammar but I speak English natively.
I feel like with see it's something that appears quickly in front of you like "I see that car driving slowly" versus "I look at the car driving slowly" versus "I watch the car driving slowly"
Rather with look it's like "I look at (object)" or "I look at you or that."
Ig with watch you would say "I about to watch TV."
They can be used interchangeably but you would have to restructure the sentence to make grammatical sense whether or not it is in past or present tense too. See versus saw, look versus looking versus looked, watch versus watching versus watched.
I feel like with hear versus listen you can hear a noise or someone speak but you don't always understand it while to listen is hearing and understanding/interpreting the sound you hear to generate an internal or external response to it.
I could be wrong tho again I'm just a native speaker not an English teacher hahaha
I feel like with see it's something that appears quickly in front of you like "I see that car driving slowly" versus "I look at the car driving slowly" versus "I watch the car driving slowly"
Rather with look it's like "I look at (object)" or "I look at you or that."
Ig with watch you would say "I about to watch TV."
They can be used interchangeably but you would have to restructure the sentence to make grammatical sense whether or not it is in past or present tense too. See versus saw, look versus looking versus looked, watch versus watching versus watched.
I feel like with hear versus listen you can hear a noise or someone speak but you don't always understand it while to listen is hearing and understanding/interpreting the sound you hear to generate an internal or external response to it.
I could be wrong tho again I'm just a native speaker not an English teacher hahaha
TechFan90 · 31-35, M
I guess see is more passive, like “I see the castle in the distance”
Look is more passive too, either an object or if not paying attention. “I look over briefly at the couple sitting at the table next to me”
Watch is active, you are paying attention or viewing something.
“I watched the television yesterday”
“I’m watching the couple sitting at the table next to me to see if they kiss”
Hear is when you hear a sound.
“ I heard the woman shout at her friend”
Listen is when you are actively listen and taking it in.
“I’m listening to my favourite song”
Look is more passive too, either an object or if not paying attention. “I look over briefly at the couple sitting at the table next to me”
Watch is active, you are paying attention or viewing something.
“I watched the television yesterday”
“I’m watching the couple sitting at the table next to me to see if they kiss”
Hear is when you hear a sound.
“ I heard the woman shout at her friend”
Listen is when you are actively listen and taking it in.
“I’m listening to my favourite song”
whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M
Both "see" and "hear" Can be accidental.. You do not need to try to see or hear. An explosion of flash of light just happen and you see or hear them..
Look, watch and listen all include intention. You hear a voice on the telephone, because you are listening...Similarly you look at your watch to see the time.. To "watch" for something usually has a longer length of time.. You watch a TV program or watch your child at play. A "look" is generally a shorter period than a "watch"😷
Look, watch and listen all include intention. You hear a voice on the telephone, because you are listening...Similarly you look at your watch to see the time.. To "watch" for something usually has a longer length of time.. You watch a TV program or watch your child at play. A "look" is generally a shorter period than a "watch"😷
davidstorm · C
1/ i see you look at my wife so I'm watching you from here on.
2/ i hear you, so now i will listen for you again.
2/ i hear you, so now i will listen for you again.
Penny · 46-50, F
I see the dog running away.
Look at the dog running away!
Watch me get the dog back.
They are all very similar as they are all verbs that tell you you are observing something. They can be used interchangeably very often.
I look at the dog running away.
See, the dog is running away!
I watched the dog running away.
I can hear you. I hear you.
Listen to me. I listened to the music.
Did you hear the news?
Did you listen to the news?
Look at the dog running away!
Watch me get the dog back.
They are all very similar as they are all verbs that tell you you are observing something. They can be used interchangeably very often.
I look at the dog running away.
See, the dog is running away!
I watched the dog running away.
I can hear you. I hear you.
Listen to me. I listened to the music.
Did you hear the news?
Did you listen to the news?
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Viper · M
To hear something is to hear it, but you may or may not pay it much attention or care, or maybe didn't catch it all.
To listen is to actually concentrate on it and try to pick up the information that's coming in by your ears. Or to follow.
To listen is to actually concentrate on it and try to pick up the information that's coming in by your ears. Or to follow.
davidstorm · C
1/, I see you look at my wife so I'm watching you from now on.
2/, I hear you, so now I will listen out for you again.
2/, I hear you, so now I will listen out for you again.