Cool MateIndicate vs Looks at this
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Indicate
Top 1,000 (very common)B1verb
Looks at this
Top 3,000 (common)
Most common: Indicate
| Indicate | Looks at this | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈɪndɪkeɪt/","/ˈɪndɪkeɪts/","/ˈɪndɪkeɪtɪd/","/ˈɪndɪkeɪtɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈɪndɪkeɪt/","/ˈɪndɪkeɪts/","/ˈɪndɪkeɪtɪd/","/ˈɪndɪkeɪtɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //lʊks æt ðɪs//🇺🇸 //lʊks æt ðɪs// |
| Meaning | to show or point out something | To direct one's gaze towards something. |
| Example | Please indicate your choice on the ballot. | She said, 'Looks at this!' as she showed me the beautiful sunset. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | clearly, strongly, not necessarily, appear to, seem to, be used to, to, indicate otherwise, clearly, strongly, not necessarily, appear to, seem to, be used to, to, indicate otherwise | Looks at this picture, Looks at this document, Looks at this issue, Looks at this situation |
| Antonyms | hide, ignore, conceal | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'indicate' vs 'demonstrate', Using 'indicate' with subject without an object, Misplacing the verb tense, e.g., 'indicated' when now is meant | Overusing in formal situations., Confusing with 'look at this' without the correct context., Using with incorrect verb tense. |
| Usage notes | Commonly used in both written and spoken English. Appropriate in formal and academic contexts; less frequent in casual conversations. Not typically used when giving direct orders. | Used to draw attention or point out something. Appropriate in informal contexts when showing someone something visually. |
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Frequently asked questions: Indicate vs Looks at this
What's the difference between Indicate and Looks at this?
Indicate: to show or point out something Looks at this: To direct one's gaze towards something.
Which is more common: Indicate and Looks at this?
Indicate is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Indicate: Please indicate your choice on the ballot. Looks at this: She said, 'Looks at this!' as she showed me the beautiful sunset.
Can I use Indicate and Looks at this interchangeably?
Not always. Indicate and Looks 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.