To see
Below, you will find a list of the most common English verbs that, many times, are simply substituted by "see" by Spanish learners. Pay attention to the dictionary definition before you can start working on them.
see verb (USE EYES)
/siː/ (seeing, saw, seen)
•
[I or T] to be conscious of what is around you by using your eyesTurn the light on so I can see.
"I can see you!"
[+ (that)] The teacher could see (that) the children had been fighting.
[+ infinitive without to] Jacqui saw the car drive up outside the police station.
[+ -ing verb] From the window we could see the children playing in the yard.
[+ past participle] His parents saw him awarded the winner's medal.
See (= Look at) p. 23 for prices and flight details.
See over (= Look at the next page) for further information.
look verb (SEE)
/lʊk/
[I] to direct your eyes in order to see
Look! There's grandma.
They looked at the picture and laughed.
Look at all this rubbish on the floor.
She looked up from her book and smiled at me.
I looked out (of) the window.
Look over there - there's a rainbow!
watch verb (LOOK AT)
/wɒtʃ/
/wɑːtʃ/
/wɑːtʃ/•
[I or T] to look at something for a period of time, especially something that is changing or movingI had dinner and watched TV for a couple of hours.
He spent the entire afternoon watching a cricket match.
[+ object + infinitive without to] I watched him get into a taxi.
I got the feeling I was being watched.
[+ object + -ing verb] I sit by the window and watch people walkingpast.
[+ question word] Just watch how he slides that ball in past the goalkeeper.
Bonner watched helplessly as the ball sneaked in at the near post.
She'll pretend that she hasn't seen us - you watch.
•
[T] to stay with something or someone such as a child for a short time to make certain that they are safeIf you want me to watch the kids for a couple of hours while you go out, just let me know.
Could you watch my bags for me, while I go to the toilet?
spot verb (SEE)
/spɒt//spɑːt/ (-tt-)
/spɑːt/ (-tt-)[T] to see or notice someone or something, usually because you are looking hard
I've just spotted Malcolm - he's over there, near the entrance.
If you spot any mistakes in the article just mark them with a pencil.
[+ -ing verb] The police spotted him driving a stolen car.
[+ question word] I soon spotted what was wrong with the printer.
[+ that] The policewoman spotted that I hadn't got my seat belt on and signalled me to stop.
observe verb (WATCH)
/əbˈzɜːv//-ˈzɝːv/ [T]
/-ˈzɝːv/ [T]slightly formal to watch carefully the way something happens or the way someone does something, especially in order to learn more about it
The role of scientists is to observe and describe the world, not to try to control it.
[+ question word] He spent a year in the jungle, observing howdeforestation is affecting local tribes.
Children learn by observing adults.
gaze verb
/geɪz/ [I usually + adverb or preposition]
to look at something or someone for a long time, especially in surprise, admiration or because you are thinking about something else
Annette gazed admiringly at Warren as he spoke.
He spends hours gazing out of the window when he should be working.
stare verb
/steər//ster/ [I or T]
/ster/ [I or T]to look for a long time with the eyes wide open, especially when surprised, frightened or thinking
Don't stare at people like that, it's rude.
Chuck sat quietly for hours staring into the distance, thinking of what might have been.
During the press conference, each boxer tried to stare the otherdown/UK also out (= force the other to look away by continual staring)
glare verb (LOOK)
/gleər //gler/ [I]
/gler/ [I]to look directly and continuously at someone or something in an angry way
She glared angrily at everyone and stormed out of the room.
glance verb (LOOK)
/glɑːnt s//glænt s/
/glænt s/[I usually + adverb or preposition] to give a quick short look
She glanced around/round the room to see who was there.
He glanced up from his book as I passed.
Could you glance over/through this letter and see if it's alright?
peek verb
/piːk/ [I]
to look, especially for a short time or while trying to avoid being seen
Close your eyes. Don't peek. I've got a surprise for you.
I peeked out the window to see who was there.
The children peeked over the wall to see where the ball had gone.
The film peeks behind the scenes of a multinational corporation.
peer verb
/pɪər//pɪr/ [I usually + adverb or preposition]
/pɪr/ [I usually + adverb or preposition]to look carefully or with difficulty
When no one answered the door, she peered through the window to see if anyone was there.
The driver was peering into the distance trying to read the road sign.
take sth in phrasal verb (WATCH)
mainly US to go to watch a film or performance, or to visit a place such as a museum
I thought we might get something to eat and then take in a movie.
notice verb
/ˈnəʊ.tɪs//ˈnoʊ.t ̬ɪs/
/ˈnoʊ.t ̬ɪs/•
[I or T] to see or become conscious of something or someoneI noticed a crack in the ceiling.
Mary waved at the man but he didn't seem to notice.
[+ (that)] He noticed (that) the woman was staring at him.
[+ question word] Did you notice how she did that?
witness verb (BE PRESENT)
/ˈwɪt.nəs/ [T]
•
to see something happen, especially an accident or crimeDid anyone witness the attack?
They were staying in the capital at the time of the riots and witnessed several street battles.
[+ -ing verb] He arrived home just in time to witness his brother beingtaken away by the police.
•
to be present at an event and to sign your name as proof that it happened or that it was done correctlyHer will was drawn up by a solicitor and witnessed by two colleagues.
PHRASAL VERBS
see to sth/sb
to deal with something that needs doing or to help someone who needs your help
The cats need feeding twice a day, but Paula's seeing to that.
Would you like any help or are you being seen to?
Please see to it that no one enters without identification.
to deal with something that needs doing or to help someone who needs your help
The cats need feeding twice a day, but Paula's seeing to that.
Would you like any help or are you being seen to?
Please see to it that no one enters without identification.
take in sth or take sth in
to look at something carefully, noticing all the details
We took a cable car to the top of the mountain and took in the magnificent views.
to understand the meaning or importance of news or information, or to understand and remember facts
She had to read the letter twice before she could take the news in.
It was quite an interesting lecture but there was just too much to take in.
(mainly American) to go to watch a film or performance, or to visit a place [e.g. museum, gallery] for enjoyment
I thought we might get something to eat and then take in a movie.
We took in a couple of galleries while we were in New York.
to include something
The three-week cruise will take in the islands of Corfu and Crete.
Her work takes in a wide range of subjects from motherhood to madness.
to take your car or a faulty piece of equipment to a place where it can be examined and repaired
I took my car in to have the exhaust repaired.
to earn money by doing jobs at home [e.g. washing, sewing] for other people
After her husband died, she supported herself by taking in washing.
if people, animals, or plants take in a substance that they need [e.g. air, water, food], they make that substance enter their body, for example by breathing or swallowing
Plants take in water through their roots.
He sat down quickly and took in several large gulps of air.
to look at something carefully, noticing all the details
We took a cable car to the top of the mountain and took in the magnificent views.
to understand the meaning or importance of news or information, or to understand and remember facts
She had to read the letter twice before she could take the news in.
It was quite an interesting lecture but there was just too much to take in.
(mainly American) to go to watch a film or performance, or to visit a place [e.g. museum, gallery] for enjoyment
I thought we might get something to eat and then take in a movie.
We took in a couple of galleries while we were in New York.
to include something
The three-week cruise will take in the islands of Corfu and Crete.
Her work takes in a wide range of subjects from motherhood to madness.
to take your car or a faulty piece of equipment to a place where it can be examined and repaired
I took my car in to have the exhaust repaired.
to earn money by doing jobs at home [e.g. washing, sewing] for other people
After her husband died, she supported herself by taking in washing.
if people, animals, or plants take in a substance that they need [e.g. air, water, food], they make that substance enter their body, for example by breathing or swallowing
Plants take in water through their roots.
He sat down quickly and took in several large gulps of air.
look after sb/sth
to take care of someone or something by doing what is needed to keep them well or in good condition
Do you think you could look after the cat while we're away?
If you look after your clothes, they last a lot longer.
Don't worry about Jenny, she can look after herself. [sometimes reflexive]
I made sure that the animals were well looked after. [used as adj]
to take care of someone or something by doing what is needed to keep them well or in good condition
Do you think you could look after the cat while we're away?
If you look after your clothes, they last a lot longer.
Don't worry about Jenny, she can look after herself. [sometimes reflexive]
I made sure that the animals were well looked after. [used as adj]
look ahead
to think about what will happen in the future and plan for these events
Like any company, we've got to look ahead and plan for the future.
We're trying to look ahead and see what our options are.
to think about what will happen in the future and plan for these events
Like any company, we've got to look ahead and plan for the future.
We're trying to look ahead and see what our options are.
look around/round (swh)
to walk through a building or around a place and look at the things in it
I didn't have time to look round the shops.
It's such a beautiful city, it's a shame we didn't have more time to look around.
to walk through a building or around a place and look at the things in it
I didn't have time to look round the shops.
It's such a beautiful city, it's a shame we didn't have more time to look around.
look back
to think about or remember something that happened in the past
When I look back, I'm amazed that I coped so well after his death.
It wasn't such a bad experience when I look back on it. [often + on]
to think about or remember something that happened in the past
When I look back, I'm amazed that I coped so well after his death.
It wasn't such a bad experience when I look back on it. [often + on]
look down on sb/sth
to think that someone is less important than you, or to think that something is not good enough quality for you to use
You shouldn't look down on him just because he left school at 16.
She tends to look down on anything that is mass-produced.
to think that someone is less important than you, or to think that something is not good enough quality for you to use
You shouldn't look down on him just because he left school at 16.
She tends to look down on anything that is mass-produced.
look for sth/sb
to try to find something or someone, either because you have lost them or because you need them
Have you seen my gloves? I've been looking for them all week.
I was looking for Andy. Do you know where he is?
How long have you been looking for a job?
to try to find something or someone, either because you have lost them or because you need them
Have you seen my gloves? I've been looking for them all week.
I was looking for Andy. Do you know where he is?
How long have you been looking for a job?
look out for sb/sth
to carefully watch the people or things around you so that you will notice a particular person or thing
Remember to look out for Anna - she said she'd be there.
Can you look out for a present for Ed while you're out shopping?
to carefully watch the people or things around you so that you will notice a particular person or thing
Remember to look out for Anna - she said she'd be there.
Can you look out for a present for Ed while you're out shopping?
look through sth
to carefully examine the contents of something or a collection of things in order to find something
I've looked through her drawers but I can't find the letter.
Why don't you look through these files and see if the document's there?
to read something quickly and not very carefully
Could you look through these figures and see if I've made any obvious errors?
to carefully examine the contents of something or a collection of things in order to find something
I've looked through her drawers but I can't find the letter.
Why don't you look through these files and see if the document's there?
to read something quickly and not very carefully
Could you look through these figures and see if I've made any obvious errors?
look up sth or look sth up
to look at a book or computer in order to find a piece of information
Can you look up the French word for 'marrow'?
I'm not sure what his number is. You'll have to look it up in the telephone directory.
to look at a book or computer in order to find a piece of information
Can you look up the French word for 'marrow'?
I'm not sure what his number is. You'll have to look it up in the telephone directory.
