Cool MateCheck out vs Look out that window
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Check out
Top 1,000 (very common)
Look out that window
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Check out
| Check out | Look out that window | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //tʃɛk aʊt//🇺🇸 //tʃɛk aʊt// | 🇬🇧 //lʊk aʊt ðæt ˈwɪndəʊ//🇺🇸 //lʊk aʊt ðæt ˈwɪndoʊ// |
| Meaning | Look at or try something. | Check or watch what is happening outside. |
| Example | You should check out this new coffee shop! | Please look out that window; I think I saw a rainbow! |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | check out a book, check out a website, check out the menu, check out a place, check out an event | look out that window, look out, look outside, look through the window, look at the view |
| Common mistakes | Using 'check out' without an object (e.g. 'I will check out.' is incorrect)., Confusing 'check out' with just 'check' (they have different meanings)., Mispronouncing 'out' as 'oat' instead of 'awt'. | Confused with 'look in' which suggests looking inside., Using 'look out that window' in a context where it's already understood might seem redundant. |
| Usage notes | Used in informal conversations to suggest someone should look at something interesting or worth investigating. Avoid in formal writing. | Used in casual conversation to direct attention towards something visible outside. It's appropriate in both informal and formal contexts but may be less common in formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Check out vs Look out that window
What's the difference between Check out and Look out that window?
Check out: Look at or try something. Look out that window: Check or watch what is happening outside.
Which is more common: Check out and Look out that window?
Check out is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Check out: You should check out this new coffee shop! Look out that window: Please look out that window; I think I saw a rainbow!
Can I use Check out and Look out that window interchangeably?
Not always. Check out and Look out that window 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.