Look at and listen to

Question

Hello.Some usage books say that look at / listen to  + something / someone +do is acceptable only in American English.Is it possible for British spearkers to say  look at / listen to  + something / someone +do ?Thank you.

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

Some usage books say that look at / listen to + something / someone +do is acceptable only in American English.

Is it possible for British spearkers to say look at / listen to + something / someone +do ?

Here's a Canadian perspective.

eg Tom listened to Mary play the piano. Fine in both American and British English.

eg Tom looked at Mary play the piano. Not OK in either version of English.

(But you can say Tom watched Mary play the piano.)

Clive

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you for your comments.

Clive judged that "look at ~ do" is unframmatical.

Do you think that the following sentence is unacceptable?

I ran downstairs and looked at my son sleep. I came back up and I said -- I answered to myself, I know why. (Larry King Live, September 11, 2010)

Clive · Answer

Hi,

When you refer to me in the third person, it sounds to me that you are asking other people for their opinions. Is this your intention? Or is the third person just some form of politeness in Japanese culture?

Clive

Look at and listen to

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