Look on/at me as

Question

Is this correct?: "I wish you would look on me as having no feelings." I read this in a P.G Wodehouse novel. What does the preposition 'as' mean in this sentence? Why didnt the author use at instead of on in the sentence?

Thanks in advance

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

fatimah0786What does the preposition 'as' mean in this sentence? I wish you would look on me as having no feelings.

as having no feelings ~ as if I had no feelings ~ in the same way you would look on me if I had no feelings
'as' can be considered part of the idiom 'look on ... as'.

fatimah0786Why didn't the author use 'at' instead of 'on' in the sentence?

'look at' is observing the surface of something, so that would just be directing the eyes to the person's physical presence.
'look on' or 'look upon' (usually with 'as') is an idiom that means 'consider' or 'think of', thus referring to the inner, mental, or emotional part of a person with a view to understanding or evaluating that person's character.

You might look at a man and see his handsome face and his beautiful clothes, but at the same time you may look upon him as a thief because of something more you know about him.

CJ

Look on/at me as

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