Cool MateBehold vs Look at that
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Behold
FormalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Look at that
Top 2,000 (common)
Most formal: BeholdMost common: Look at that
| Behold | Look at that | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //bɪˈhoʊld//🇺🇸 //bɪˈhoʊld// | 🇬🇧 //lʊk æt ðæt//🇺🇸 //lʊk æt ðæt// |
| Meaning | Look at something with attention. | See that thing. |
| Example | Behold the magnificent sunset over the horizon. | Wow, **look at that** beautiful painting! |
| Register | Formal | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | behold the wonders, behold the glory, behold your fate | look at that view, look at that picture, look at that problem |
| Antonyms | ignore, overlook | ignore that, overlook that, disregard that |
| Common mistakes | Using 'behold' in informal settings., Confusing 'behold' with 'see' or 'look at' for casual use., Using incorrect verb forms, as 'beholded' is not correct. | Saying 'look at that' when it's not necessary to draw attention., Using it in overly formal situations., Confusing it with similar phrases like 'check this out' which is more informal. |
| Usage notes | Used mainly in literary or dramatic contexts. Not common in everyday conversation; can sound archaic. | Used to draw attention to something. Suitable in casual conversations or when pointing out something interesting. |
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Frequently asked questions: Behold vs Look at that
What's the difference between Behold and Look at that?
Behold: Look at something with attention. Look at that: See that thing.
Which is more formal: Behold and Look at that?
Behold is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Behold and Look at that?
Look at that is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Behold: Behold the magnificent sunset over the horizon. Look at that: Wow, **look at that** beautiful painting!
Can I use Behold and Look at that interchangeably?
Not always. Behold and Look at that are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.