"See", "Look" và "Watch" are the verbs that seem to be the same because they all refer to the use of the eye. But there are two very importan differences depending on whether you inttend to look or see and how attentive you are.

 

 

When we say 'see', we often talk about the things we can't help but see. For example, we say: "I opened the curtains and saw some birds outside". This means that we are not intentionally looking at/ watching those birds, jusst opening the door and seeing them.

 

However, when we use 'look', we are talking about looking at something intentionally. Therefore, it can be said"This morning I looked at the newspaper". This means that I intentionally read newspaper.

When we use 'watch', it means that we watch something actively and attentively and there is often a movement in it. For exaple, "I watched the bus go through the traffic lights" or "I watch television".

In conclusion, with 'See', you really didn't mean to look but it happened before your eyes. With 'Look', you intentionally look, see something. And 'watch' intentionally and attentively watched and there is a movement in it.

Besides, there are also some sensory verbs such as “hear”, listen to”, feel”, “notice”, “touch”,… like “see”, “look” and “watch”. And the usage is the same: intentional or unintentional.

E.g: - "I heard the radio". In this case, I didn't intend to listen to the radio but naturally heard it, that's all.
        - "I listened to the radio". This means I actively turn on the radio and listen to it.
        - "I felt the wind on my face". It was completely unintentional but it happened on its own and I felt it.
        - "I touched the fabric". Here I activley touch it to get a feel.

Wish you can identify the differences of these verbs and use them corectly.

 

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