Cool MateLook at him dashing about vs Race
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Look at him dashing about
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Race
Top 1,000 (very common)A2noun
Most formal: RaceMost common: Race
| Look at him dashing about | Race | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //lʊk æt hɪm ˈdæʃɪŋ əˈbaʊt//🇺🇸 //lʊk æt hɪm ˈdæʃɪŋ əˈbaʊt// | 🇬🇧 /["/reɪs/"]/🇺🇸 /["/reɪs/"]/ |
| Meaning | To run or move quickly and playfully. | A competition to see who is the fastest. |
| Example | Look at him dashing about the playground with a big smile! | The race was thrilling, with teams competing at full speed. |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | A2 |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | look at, dashing about, moving quickly, playful energy, running around | big, close, tight, have, hold, organize, be held, be run, take place, meet, meeting, winner, in a/the race, out of a/the race, race against, close, tight, two-horse, be in, be involved in, join, in a/the race, race between, race for, human, alien, mixed, relations, equality, discrimination, among races, between races, from a race, on the basis of race, on (the) grounds of race, human, alien, mixed, relations, equality, discrimination, among races, between races, from a race, on the basis of race, on (the) grounds of race |
| Antonyms | - | walk, crawl |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'dash' as a noun., Incorrectly using 'look' without 'at'., Overusing the phrase in formal contexts. | Confusing 'race' with 'race against' (use 'race against time' when emphasizing urgency), Using the plural 'races' without context, as it may imply multiple types of competitions, Mixing 'race' with 'racing', which refers specifically to the action rather than the event |
| Usage notes | This phrase is best used in casual conversations. It conveys a playful or energetic action and may not be appropriate in formal writing. | Use 'race' when talking about competitions involving speed, such as running, driving, or sport. It is informal when talking about a fun, casual event but can be formal in official contexts like sports competitions. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Look at him dashing about vs Race
What's the difference between Look at him dashing about and Race?
Look at him dashing about: To run or move quickly and playfully. Race: A competition to see who is the fastest.
Which is more formal: Look at him dashing about and Race?
Race is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Look at him dashing about and Race?
Race is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Look at him dashing about: Look at him dashing about the playground with a big smile! Race: The race was thrilling, with teams competing at full speed.
Can I use Look at him dashing about and Race interchangeably?
Not always. Look at him dashing about and Race 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.