Look and see

Question

Hello.I know that "look at" does not normally entail "see".So, it is not a contradiction to say that "I looked at him, but I did not see him".However, in the following sentence, I think that "look at" enatils "see".I looked at my watch and the time was 12.30.So, it is not possible to deny achievement as in "I looked at my watch but I didn't see it".Am I right?Thank you.

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

I know that "look at" does not normally entail "see". I don't agree.

So, it is not a contradiction to say that "I looked at him, but I did not see him".

What do you mean?

Do you mean that he was in your sight, but your brain was thinking about something else entirely?

However, in the following sentence, I think that "look at" enatils "see".

I looked at my watch and the time was 12.30.

So, it is not possible to deny achievement as in "I looked at my watch but I didn't see it".

See my query above.

Clive

Markroe · Answer

If you look at him, you are probably seeing him, unless you are not paying any attention.

If you look for him, there is a good possibility that you are not seeing him.

Regards · Answer

Hi,

If you are looking at your watch, you're probably seeing it.

For example: I looked at that house. How can you look at a house without using your sight?

You should distinguish among the following verbs: see, watch, look and observe.

Regards

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousI know that "look at" does not normally entail "see".

Really? I'd say that it normally does entail "see". That's why it's anomalous to say, "I looked at him, but I did not see him", and such a statement has to be interpreted somewhat metaphorically, namely, as something like "I looked at him, but I did not realize that it was him. (I was distracted, or not paying full attention, or ...)".

CJ

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