“Look” vs. “Look At”: What’s the Difference?

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The difference between “look” and “look at”

  • Look is a standalone verb, while look at is a phrasal verb made up of the verb look and the preposition at.
  • Look can be used to describe the act of simply directing one's gaze towards something, while look at specifically refers to observing or paying attention to something.
  • Look can also be used to describe appearance or impression, while look at cannot.
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What is the definition of “look” and “look at”?

Look
  • The verb look means to direct your gaze in a certain direction or to use your eyes to take notice of something.
  • It can also refer to the act of searching for something or trying to find something out.
  • Look can also mean to have a certain appearance or to present a certain impression.
Look at
  • Look at is a phrasal verb that means to direct your gaze in a certain direction in order to see or observe something.
  • This can also refer to paying attention to something in order to understand or analyze it.
  • Look at can also be used to express interest or admiration towards someone or something.

Which is the more popular variant on the Internet?

“Look” is the more popular variant on the web.
More popular
Look
16,520,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. Look both ways before crossing the street.
  2. She gave me a quick look of approval.
  3. Look on the bright side, things could be worse.
Look at
2,100,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. Can you look at this document and tell me what you think?
  2. Don't look at me like that, I didn't do it.
  3. Let's take a moment to look at the big picture.
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