Cool MateLooking vs Seeking
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Looking
Top 2,000 (common)
Seeking
Top 2,000 (common)
| Looking | Seeking | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈlʊkɪŋ//🇺🇸 //ˈlʊkɪŋ// | 🇬🇧 //ˈsiːkɪŋ//🇺🇸 //ˈsiːkɪŋ// |
| Meaning | The action of using your eyes to see something. | Looking for something or someone. |
| Example | She is looking at her favorite painting in the gallery. | She is seeking a new job in marketing. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | looking forward, looking for, looking at, looking good, looking back | seeking advice, seeking assistance, seeking opportunities, seeking truth, seeking guidance |
| Antonyms | overlooking, ignoring | avoiding, ignoring, disregarding |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'looking' with 'watching', as 'looking' implies a more passive action., Incorrectly using 'look' as a noun instead of 'looking'., Using 'looking' without a specific object to focus on. | Confused with 'seeked' instead of 'sought' as the past tense., Incorrectly using 'seeking' as a noun., Misunderstanding the context; 'seeking' suggests active pursuit. |
| Usage notes | Used in everyday conversation and writing. Avoid in very formal contexts. Often used to indicate attention or interest. | Commonly used in both formal and informal contexts. 'Seeking' may appear in job descriptions or personal pursuits. Avoid overly casual scenarios. |
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Frequently asked questions: Looking vs Seeking
What's the difference between Looking and Seeking?
Looking: The action of using your eyes to see something. Seeking: Looking for something or someone.
Can you show an example of each?
Looking: She is looking at her favorite painting in the gallery. Seeking: She is seeking a new job in marketing.
Can I use Looking and Seeking interchangeably?
Not always. Looking and Seeking 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.