Gaze vs You can look right down into

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Gaze

Top 2,000 (common)C1verb

You can look right down into

Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Most common: Gaze
 GazeYou can look right down into
Pronunciation🇬🇧 /["/ɡeɪz/","/ˈɡeɪzɪz/","/ɡeɪzd/","/ˈɡeɪzɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɡeɪz/","/ˈɡeɪzɪz/","/ɡeɪzd/","/ˈɡeɪzɪŋ/"]/🇬🇧 //juː kən lʊk raɪt daʊn ˈɪntuː//🇺🇸 //ju kən lʊk raɪt daʊn ˈɪntu//
MeaningTo look at something for a long time.You can see directly into something.
ExampleShe gazed at him in amazement.From the balcony, you can look right down into the bustling street below.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 2,000 (common)Beyond 10,000 (less common)
CEFR levelC1-
Part of speechverb
Collocationsintently, steadily, absently, at, in, intolook right down into the water, look right down into the deep, can look right down into
Antonymsavert, ignore, dismiss-
Common mistakesConfused with 'glance' — 'gaze' means a long look, not a quick one., Using 'gaze' without 'at' — it should be 'gaze at the stars', not just 'gaze the stars'., Overusing in casual contexts — more suitable for descriptive or literary situations.Using 'look down right into' instead of 'look right down into'., Confusing 'look right down into' with 'look into'., Overusing the phrase when describing flat surfaces instead of deep spaces.
Usage notesUsed in contexts where someone looks intently or dreamily. Not typically used in casual conversations unless describing art or beauty.Often used in both spoken and written contexts, typically referring to seeing into a deep place, like a hole or body of water. Avoid using in very formal writing.

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Gaze
You can look right down into

Frequently asked questions: Gaze vs You can look right down into

What's the difference between Gaze and You can look right down into?

Gaze: To look at something for a long time. You can look right down into: You can see directly into something.

Which is more common: Gaze and You can look right down into?

Gaze is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Gaze: She gazed at him in amazement. You can look right down into: From the balcony, you can look right down into the bustling street below.

Can I use Gaze and You can look right down into interchangeably?

Not always. Gaze and You can look right down into 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.

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