Look Vs. Look Like – Learn How To Use These Common Verbs Correctly

Did you know that the word ‘look’ has over six different meanings, depending on its usage? With so many different meanings, it’s no wonder that students struggle to use the word correctly! According to the Cambridge Dictionary, you can use look as a verb, a linking verb and a discourse marker.

In this post, we discuss the different usages of look and also share the differences between look vs. Look like, look, watch and see so that you can use them correctly in your day-to-day conversations and improve your English fluency.

Look: Different Ways To Use It

If you’re hoping to speak English fluently, one of the essential words you have to familiarise yourself with is “look. ” It’s a common word that appears in daily conversations. However, it can be challenging, especially as it has several meanings.

Here are a few different ways we use “look” in the English language:

1. Look + Adjective

We use “look” before an adjective to describe how someone or something appears. Here are a few examples:

• She looks happy.
• They look tired.
• He looks annoyed/.
• The dog looks scary.
• The town looks deserted.

Here, happy, tired, annoyed, scary and deserted are adjectives that describe a noun or pronoun. Look acts like a verb describing the noun with the help of an adjective.

2. Look at + noun

We use this combination when we want to point out something a person or animal has their eyes on. Here are a few examples:

• Don’t look at my test paper.
• The cat likes to look at the birds
• Look at me when I am teaching.
• Why are you looking at me?
• The couple didn’t look at each other while crossing the road.

3. Look like + noun

We use “look” followed by a noun when we want to compare the appearance of two or more things. Here are a few examples:

• They look like twins, but they are not.
• The child looks like a fairy.
• It looks like an office, but it is actually a museum.
• My bedroom looks like a pigsty.
• The food looks like chicken, but it is plant-based meat.

4. Look like + sentence

You can use look like followed by a sentence when you want to give an opinion on how something or somebody looks. Keep in mind that you’re not sharing what is happening. Instead, you’re giving your view on what you think is happening or will happen. This is quite similar to the usage of “It appears that…..” or  “It seems that…..”. Here are a few examples:

• She looks like she is about to cry.
• He looks like he is busy.
• The workers look like they are struggling to complete the project.
• The child looks like he is about to fall sick.

Look Vs. Seem Vs. Appear

One of my students described her friend, “Her new haircut makes her appear younger. ” While this sentence isn’t wrong, the better word to use here would be “look. ”

Let me explain the differences between these three commonly confused words, so you can know when to use the right ones.

Look

We use both “look” and “appear” to describe a condition we have observed. For example, in the above sentence, my student has observed that her friend looks stylish with her new haircut. While we can use appear here, the better choice is look, as look is more informal. Since the conversation was casual – a friend describing another friend – look is the better word to use.

Her new haircut makes her look younger.

Appear

Often “appear” is used in formal speech or written communication like an official news report or a corporate mail. For example, a news reporter might say, “It appears that the suspect has fled from the scene. ”

While “look” is most often used to describe a person or features, appear is used to talk about facts and events. This brings us to the third word in this set,

Seem

The word “seem” means “to create an impression or idea. ” However, seem does not provide direct observation, unlike look and appear. Let’s explain this with an example. Imagine you and your friend talking over the phone and discussing your friend’s new promotion. After the phone call, you might say, “Sheila seems happy in her new job, ” even though you haven’t directly observed Sheila smiling.

Helpful Hints:

Another crucial difference between these three words is what follows after them. Seem and appear are followed by an infinite verb. Here are a few examples,

“The teacher seems to be satisfied with her student’s performance. ” Notice how seems is followed by the infinite verb “to be. ” Similarly, “My mom appears to be waiting for my dad. ”

On the other hand, the verb look is often followed by an adjective. For example, “She looks frustrated. ”

Look Vs. Watch Vs. See

This is another trio that often needs clarification. Let’s take a closer look at the differences between them.

• See – When you notice something or someone with your eyes. You use it when you are visually aware of something.
• Look – It’s directing your eyes in a particular direction.
• Watch – Look at something or someone for longer and pay considerable attention to what is happening.

Now that we’ve sorted the definitions let’s take a look at the usage:

Watch

Consider this scenario. You’re travelling by train and you want to use the restroom. You might ask your fellow traveller, “I’m leaving my seat for a minute. Would you please watch my bag?”  In this situation, you’re asking the other person to pay attention to your bag for a considerable period. Generally, we use the verb “watch” with films, movies, games, sports and other performances.

• I’m watching a series on Netflix.
• Do you want to play football with us? No thanks, I’ll watch.

Look

Ideally, look describes an action where you direct your eyes in a specific direction for a short time. It doesn’t involve much thought or require as much attention as when you’re watching something.

• She looked at the horizon before turning away.
• When you’re walking, look down to watch out for potholes.

See

See can be used with or without an object.

Examples:

• With an object – I see a car in the distance.
• Without an object – It will rain later today. Just wait and see.

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