Look (at) vs. See vs. Watch – English Grammar Exercises for A2
Choose the best option (A, B, or C) to complete each sentence. All questions take place in a scenario where you are holding up your phone to show your friends a photo of your new puppy.
1 Hey guys, ______ this picture of my new puppy on my phone!
(A) watch
(B) look at
(C) look
2 Oh wow, he is so cute! Please ______ my screen to see his face.
(A) look to
(B) watch
(C) look at
3 I want you to ______ his tiny paws in this photo. They are so small!
(A) look at
(B) watch
(C) see at
4 Can you ______ the screen clearly, or is the sun too bright?
(A) look
(B) see
(C) watch to
5 Don’t ______ the messy background, just focus on the puppy!
(A) watch
(B) look at
(C) look
6 If you ______ closely at the photo, you will notice his left ear is brown.
(A) look
(B) watch
(C) see
7 Wait, I can’t ______ the picture well. Let me put my glasses on.
(A) watch
(B) look at
(C) see
8 Oh, I ______ him now! He is hiding under the blanket in this picture.
(A) see
(B) look
(C) watch at
9 We sat there and ______ the photo for a long time because he is so adorable.
(A) watched
(B) saw to
(C) looked at
10 I have a video too! Do you want to ______ him playing with his toy?
(A) look
(B) watch
(C) see at
11 You don’t need to ______ a video to know he is energetic; just check out this funny pose!
(A) watch
(B) look at
(C) watching
12 Every time I ______ this picture, it makes me smile.
(A) look
(B) see to
(C) look at
13 “Did you ______ my new dog’s picture on Instagram yet?” “No, show me!”
(A) see
(B) look
(C) watch
14 Come closer to the phone. I want to make sure you ______ his cute little nose.
(A) look
(B) watch
(C) see
15 “What are you doing?” “I am just ______ my new puppy’s photos in my gallery.”
(A) looking at
(B) watching
(C) looking
16 I showed the photo to my mom, but she didn’t even ______ it because she was busy.
(A) look at
(B) watch
(C) look
17 The puppy was so quiet when I took this. He didn’t even ______ the camera.
(A) see
(B) look at
(C) watch to
18 You can ______ the difference between my old dog and this puppy if you compare their photos.
(A) see
(B) look
(C) watch
19 Just stand there and ______ the screen while I swipe through the album.
(A) watch
(B) look at
(C) look to
20 I love sitting here and ______ him sleep on the sofa, but for now, just enjoy this picture!
(A) looking
(B) seeing
(C) watching
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 B
Explanation: * [look at]. You are asking your friends to actively direct their eyes to a static photo.
- Distractor Analysis: (A) “watch” is a common mistake; we watch moving things (like videos), not still photos. (C) “look” is a grammar error because it is missing the preposition “at” before an object.
2 C
Explanation: * [look at]. Directing attention to a specific object (the screen).
- Distractor Analysis: (B) “watch” is the common mistake (the screen is not a movie). (A) “look to” is a grammar error (wrong preposition).
3 A
Explanation: * [look at]. Focusing the eyes intentionally on a specific detail (tiny paws).
- Distractor Analysis: (B) “watch” is a common mistake for static objects. (C) “see at” is a grammar error.
4 B
Explanation: * [see]. “See” is about physical ability. The speaker is asking if the glare from the sun is blocking their vision.
- Distractor Analysis: (A) “look” is a common mistake when confusing the ability to perceive with the action of pointing the eyes. (C) “watch to” is a grammar error.
5 B
Explanation: * [look at]. Telling someone not to direct their attention to a specific stationary thing.
- Distractor Analysis: (A) “watch” is the common mistake. (C) “look” is missing the required preposition “at”.
6 A
Explanation: * [look]. The preposition “at” is already provided later in the sentence (“…closely at the photo”). Therefore, you only need the verb.
- Distractor Analysis: (B) “watch” is the common mistake. (C) “see” cannot be used with “closely at”.
7 C
Explanation: * [see]. The person is talking about their physical ability to perceive the photo clearly without glasses.
- Distractor Analysis: (B) “look at” is a common mistake; you can “look at” a blurry picture, but you cannot “see” it clearly. (A) “watch” is incorrect for photos.
8 A
Explanation: * [see]. Means to finally notice or spot something that was hidden.
- Distractor Analysis: (B) “look” is a common mistake; you “look” to try to find something, but you “see” it when you succeed. (C) “watch at” is a grammar error.
9 C
Explanation: * [looked at]. Past tense of actively observing a static object.
- Distractor Analysis: (A) “watched” is a common mistake (you don’t watch a still photo). (B) “saw to” is a grammar error in this context.
10 B
Explanation: * [watch]. The object changes from a photo to a video of a moving object (“playing”).
- Distractor Analysis: (A) “look” is the common mistake. (C) “see at” is a grammar error.
11 A
Explanation: * [watch]. Again, referring to a video, which requires continuous attention over time.
- Distractor Analysis: (B) “look at” is the common mistake for moving media. (C) “watching” is a grammar error (needs base verb after “need to”).
12 C
Explanation: * [look at]. Directing eyes to a static picture.
- Distractor Analysis: (A) “look” is a grammar error (missing “at”). (B) “see to” is a structural error.
13 A
Explanation: * [see]. Asking about an experience or if someone has noticed the photo on a social media feed yet.
- Distractor Analysis: (B) “look” is the common mistake. (C) “watch” is wrong for static photos.
14 C
Explanation: * [see]. The speaker wants to ensure the listener has the physical ability/clarity to perceive the nose.
- Distractor Analysis: (A) “look” is a common mistake. (B) “watch” is incorrect.
15 A
Explanation: * [looking at]. Present continuous for actively observing photos.
- Distractor Analysis: (B) “watching” is the common mistake. (C) “looking” is a grammar error (missing “at” before an object).
16 A
Explanation: * [look at]. Intentional action of directing the eyes. The mother refused to direct her eyes to the photo.
- Distractor Analysis: (B) “watch” is incorrect for photos. (C) “look” is a grammar error (needs “at” before “it”).
17 B
Explanation: * [look at]. The puppy did not point his eyes toward the camera.
- Distractor Analysis: (A) “see” is a common mistake (the dog could see the camera, but chose not to direct his eyes to it). (C) “watch to” is a grammar error.
18 A
Explanation: * [see]. “See the difference” is a fixed collocation meaning to notice or perceive a change.
- Distractor Analysis: (B) “look” is a common mistake. (C) “watch” is incorrect.
19 B
Explanation: * [look at]. Actively paying attention to the static screen as the images change.
- Distractor Analysis: (A) “watch” is a common mistake. (C) “look to” is a grammar error.
20 C
Explanation: * [watching]. The dog sleeping is a live action/event happening over a period of time, so “watch” is used.
- Distractor Analysis: (A) “looking” is a common mistake. (B) “seeing” is incorrect for paying attention to an ongoing action.
GRAMMAR POINTS TO REMEMBER
1 Look (at) = Action (Intentional)
- You decide to point your eyes at something. It is an active choice.
- We usually use it for static (not moving) objects, like photos, paintings, or a screen.
- Crucial Rule: If there is an object after the verb, you MUST use “at”.
- Correct: “Look at this photo.”
- Incorrect: “Look this photo.”
2 See = Ability / Noticing (Unintentional)
- This is about physical ability or noticing something without trying. Your eyes are open, so an image naturally enters them.
- Example: “I can see the photo, but it is blurry.” (You have the physical ability to view it).
3 Watch = Action over Time (Moving Objects)
- You intentionally look at something for a period of time, usually because it is moving or changing.
- We use this for videos, movies, sports, or live events.
- Example: “Let’s watch a video of my puppy playing.” (Do not use “watch” for a static photo).