Here's a pretty thing vs Look at this

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

Here's a pretty thing

Informal Beyond 10,000 (less common)

Look at this

Top 2,000 (common)

Most formal: Look at this Most common: Look at this

	Here's a pretty thing	Look at this
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 //hɪəz ə ˈprɪti θɪŋ// 🇺🇸 //hɪrz ə ˈprɪti θɪŋ//	🇬🇧 //lʊk æt ðɪs// 🇺🇸 //lʊk æt ðɪs//
Meaning	This is something nice to look at.	Please see this.
Example	When we arrived at the art gallery, I said, 'Here's a pretty thing!' to the painting.	Look at this beautiful sunset!
Register	Informal	Neutral
How common	Beyond 10,000 (less common)	Top 2,000 (common)
Collocations	here's a nice surprise, here's a lovely gift, here's something special	look at this picture, look at this problem, look at this example
Antonyms	-	ignore this, overlook this, disregard this
Common mistakes	Confused with 'here's a nice thing' — this phrase sounds more casual., Using it in serious contexts where it may sound too playful., Forgetting to use the contraction 'here's' instead of 'here is'.	'Look at this' is often confused with 'Look this.', 'Look at' should not be used with vague objects like 'it' without context.
Usage notes	Used in casual conversation to draw attention to something attractive or interesting; may not be appropriate in formal settings.	Use when drawing attention to something. Avoid in very formal contexts or when you need to be indirect.

See it in real clips

The Lord Of The Rings › The Fellowship Of The Ring

Here's a pretty thing.

Here's a pretty thing

Agatha Christies Poirot › S1 E1

-Well. . . -And then look at this.

Breaking Bad › S1 E1

Look at this. Look at this.

Better Call Saul › S1 E1

Look at the soft, delicate shading, very feminine.

Agatha Christies Poirot › S1 E1

-Well. . . -And then look at this.

Breaking Bad › S1 E1

Look at this. Look at this.

Look at this

Frequently asked questions: Here's a pretty thing vs Look at this

What's the difference between Here's a pretty thing and Look at this?

Here's a pretty thing: This is something nice to look at. Look at this: Please see this.

Which is more formal: Here's a pretty thing and Look at this?

Look at this is the most formal of these.

Which is more common: Here's a pretty thing and Look at this?

Look at this is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Here's a pretty thing: When we arrived at the art gallery, I said, 'Here's a pretty thing!' to the painting. Look at this: Look at this beautiful sunset!

Can I use Here's a pretty thing and Look at this interchangeably?

Not always. Here's a pretty thing and Look at this 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.