English Reference
Phrasal verb

look at

phrasal verb.
A1 Beginner

phrasal verb.to direct your eyes toward something to see it. You use this when you want to focus your attention on an object or person.

phrasal verb.to direct one's gaze toward an object or person to perceive it visually. Always takes a direct object.


SIMPLE

Please look at the board.

CONTEXTUAL

The students look at the map to find the capital city.

COMPLEX

When you look at the evidence presented, the conclusion becomes difficult to ignore.

Usage

The phrasal verb is transitive and requires a direct object after the preposition 'at'.

Don't confuse

look at vs look for — Look at directs the eyes toward something visible, while look for is the act of searching for something missing.

Don't confuse

look at vs watch — Look at is the act of directing your eyes toward a stationary target; watch is the act of observing something in motion or progress over time.

Pitfall
look the picturelook at the picture

The verb 'look' is intransitive and requires the preposition 'at' to connect to an object.

This entry
Level A1 · Beginner
Updated