Cool MateLook at this vs Watch this
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Look at this
Top 2,000 (common)
Watch this
Top 2,000 (common)
| Look at this | Watch this | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //lʊk æt ðɪs//🇺🇸 //lʊk æt ðɪs// | 🇬🇧 //wɒtʃ ðɪs//🇺🇸 //wɑtʃ ðɪs// |
| Meaning | Please see this. | Look at this. |
| Example | Look at this beautiful sunset! | Watch this amazing performance by the dancers. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | look at this picture, look at this problem, look at this example | watch closely, watch carefully, watch intently |
| Antonyms | ignore this, overlook this, disregard this | - |
| Common mistakes | 'Look at this' is often confused with 'Look this.', 'Look at' should not be used with vague objects like 'it' without context. | Using without making it clear what to watch., Assuming it's always a command; can be a suggestion., Confusing with 'Watch that' which is more specific. |
| Usage notes | Use when drawing attention to something. Avoid in very formal contexts or when you need to be indirect. | Used to attract someone's attention to something. Suitable in most casual to formal situations. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Look at this vs Watch this
What's the difference between Look at this and Watch this?
Look at this: Please see this. Watch this: Look at this.
Can you show an example of each?
Look at this: Look at this beautiful sunset! Watch this: Watch this amazing performance by the dancers.
Can I use Look at this and Watch this interchangeably?
Not always. Look at this and Watch 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.