See vs Watch vs Look - English in a Minute

Hello! I'm Sam from BBC Learning English

and in this episode, we're going to look at the

differences between 'see', 'watch' and 'look'.

All three are verbs

and all three involve using your eyes.

'See' can have many non-literal meanings,

but its basic meaning is

'to have the ability to use your eyes'.

I can't see anything!

Or it can mean

'to notice something with your eyes'.

Did you see the full moon last night?

It was huge!

To 'look' means

'to turn your eyes towards something

so that you can see it'.

They said that if I look carefully at the painting,

I can see a flower.

And 'watch'

is to 'look at something for a period of time'

- really looking carefully.

Right now, you are watching this video

and paying very close attention, I'm sure.