Look at means to turn your eyes towards someone or something on purpose: Look at this map. Its second meaning is to examine, study or check something: The doctor looked at my knee.
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look at + person/thing; look at + problem/plan/essay; take a look at + noun
- Look at this photo from our trip to Scotland: we had perfect weather all week.
- Everyone looked at the screen when the exam results appeared.
- The teacher looked at my essay and suggested a clearer introduction.
What changed
First versionWhy are you looking on me like that?
RevisionWhy are you looking at me like that?
On may seem like a natural choice, but in English you look at someone or something: look at me, look at the board. Look on does exist, but it means something else: to watch from the side without getting involved. The correction replaces on with at.
Look at, look for and see are easy to mix up. Look at means directing your eyes at something in front of you; look for means trying to find something you cannot see: I'm looking for my glasses. See means noticing something without effort: I saw a fox in the garden. For a film or a match, use watch.
Your turn
Before I send this email to the client, could you ___ it and check the tone?
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look at — The email is already written, and a colleague is asked to read through it and check the tone, so look at fits. Look for means “try to find”, but nobody has lost the email: it is ready and waiting to be sent.
Ask a colleague or friend to check something: a CV, a photo, a presentation. Use look at and say exactly what needs checking.
Could you look at my CV tonight and check if all the dates are correct?
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