See, Look at, Watch, Hear , and Listen to

By Professor Manuel E. Jiménez Campos 

 'Look', 'see' and 'watch' can easily confuse students of English as they all relate to actions done with our eyes. The difference between the three verbs can be explained in the following way...see if you can understand!

SEE, LOOK AT, WATCH, HEAR, AND LISTEN TO

SEE, LOOK AT, and WATCH (a)  I see many things in this room . (b)  I´m looking at the clock. I want to know the time. (c)   Bob is watching TV.	In (a) :see= a nonaction verb . Seeing happens because my eyes are open . Seeing is a physical reaction , not a planned action. In ( b) : look at = an action verb . Looking is planned or purposeful action .  Looking happens for a reason In (c) :watch  = an action verb . I watch something for a long time , but I look at something a short time.
HEAR and LISTEN TO (d) I´m in my apartment . I´m going to study I hear music from the next apartment . The music is loud .         (e) I´m in my apartment . I´m studying . I have a tape recorder . I´m listening to music . I like to listen to music when I study.	In ( d) : hear= a nonaction verb. Hearing is an unplanned act. It expresses a physical reaction. In (e) : listen ( to) = an action verb, Listening happens for a purpose.

Adapted from : Basic English Grammar , Betty Schrampfer Azar , Stacy A. Hagen , Third Edition .