Look at, see or watch?

When we look at something, we direct our eyes in its direction and pay attention to it:

[the speaker is sitting at her computer]

Come and look at this photo Carina sent me.

Look at the rabbit!

See means noticing something using our eyes. The past simple form is saw and the -ed form is seen:

I saw Trevor at the shopping centre yesterday.

Has anyone seen my glasses?

Watch is similar to look at, but it usually means that we look at something for a period of time, especially something that is changing or moving:

We watch television every evening.

I like to sit at the window to watch what’s happening in the garden.

When we look at something for a long time, we use watch, not see.

• When there is an object, we use at after look:

If you go for a walk by the river, you can look at the beautiful scenery.

Not: … you can look the beautiful scenery.

• We don’t use watch to talk about things that we see without trying:

If you go to the forest, you might see some deer.

Not: … you might watch some deer.

• We don’t use watch when referring to a film in the cinema:

A:

We’re going to the cinema tonight.

B:

What are you going to see? (Not: What are you going to watch?)

A:

I’m not sure. I really want to see the new Rocky movie but Nancy said she’s not interested in that.

Not: I really want to watch the new Rocky movie …

• We use watch, not see, when we refer to something on the television:

At night, I like to watch the television.

Not: …I like to see the television.