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Experience shows us that love does not consist in gazing at each other, but looking together in the same direction.
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
To gaze
To look at somebody or something for a long time, especially in surprise or admiration, or because you are thinking of something else.
- He gazed admiringly at his wife as she presented her speech to the hundreds of participants in the auditorium.
- He often sits in the garden for hours just gazing into space.
See, look (at), and watch
See
See is the ordinary word to say that you perceive something with your eyes. Progressive forms – (e.g. I am seeing) – are not normally used and can see is often used to talk about seeing something at the moment of speaking.
- Do you see that blue car over there? (NOT: Are you seeing…?)
- I can see a police car in front of the house. (NOT: I am seeing…)
However, we do use the progressive form of see when it means ‘having a romantic relationship with somebody.’
- Are you seeing anybody at the moment?
Look (at)
We use look when you turn your eyes in a particular direction, paying attention, trying to see what is there. You can see something without wanting to, but you can only look at something intentionally. Compare:
- If you look carefully, you can just see our school from here.
When look has an object, it is followed by at.
- He looked at me and smiled.
Watch
SYN – observe, notice.
Watch means ‘to look at paying attention and for a period of time’, especially looking at something that is changing, moving or developing. You watch TV, a football game, a match, a movie.
You can watch or see a film, a movie, or a programme, but you cannot ‘see television or see TV.’ You watch television or TV.
Referência: “Gems of Wisdom – Inspirational Messages to Enhance the Quality of Your Life and Improve Your English” de Jack Scholes – Disal Editora, 2007. Leia a resenha.
