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English Grammar and Writing Tips: |
Grammar <<< English Grammar and Writing Tips <<< Using "See to", "Look after", and "Watch out" Correctly |
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I saw him to eat spaghetti at the restaurant. (incorrect!) I saw him eat spaghetti at the restaurant. (the speaker saw the entire act) (correct!) I saw him eating spaghetti at the restaurant. (the speaker briefly saw the person while he was eating) (correct!) We use the passive form of the verb, followed by a "to"- infinitive when an event or action is completed: He was seen to break the windows of the car. (complete observation of the action) (correct) We use the passive form of the verb, followed by an "-ing" form when an event or action is not completed: He was seen breaking the windows of the car. (partial observation of the action) (correct) Read also: Question about English (US) :: "See" is often used to mean "visit" or "meet by arrangement": I have to see my doctor this afternoon. (correct) My grandmother is seeing the doctor on Monday. (correct) :: We can say that two people "are seeing" each other when they are meeting each other regularly, for example because they are in love. When "see" has this meaning, it is usually used in a continuous tense: Do your parents know that you and Steve are seeing? (correct) We are seeing our friends Jen and Peter this weekend. (correct) :: "See" is also used to mean "understand", "know", or "realize": I don't quite see how they can argue that. (correct) I see what you mean. (correct) :: We often say "I see" to show that we have understood something: Donna is Robert's mother-in-law. - I see. (correct) :: When "see" means "understand", we can use "can" or "could" with it: I can see why my daughter is so scared. (correct) We could see her point of view. (correct) :: We do not use a continuous tense when "see" means "understand". For example, we do not say: I am seeing what you mean. (incorrect!) :: When someone does something that has to be done, we can say that they "see to": I'll see to the breakfast while the children are still sleeping. (correct) I'm here to see to your luggage, madam. (correct) :: When someone deals with or prepares something, we can say that they "see about" it: Will you see about putting the children to bed? (correct) My husband promised to see about dinner. (correct) I'll have to see about organizing the conference next month. (correct) :: We can say "have to see about that" (spoken). It is used to say that you are not able to decide now: My niece wants to borrow my car for the weekend but we’ll have to see about that. (correct) :: We also use "see about (something)" to say that we investigate, look into, or check on something: I'm going to see about your car's noise, don't worry. (correct) :: Look after - to take care of someone or something: My parents will look after the children while we are abroad. (correct) You have to look after your shoes - they are so dirty. (correct!) :: Look after something (for someone) - to take care of something that belongs to someone else and make sure it is not damaged or stolen: Kate will look after our house while we are on vacation. (correct) Would you please look after my bag for a while? (correct) :: Look for - to try to find, to search for something or somebody I'm looking for my car keys. It seems like I have lost them. (correct) Joe is looking for his dog. (correct) :: Look forward to (something, doing something) - it means that you are pleased or excited about what you are going to experience in the future Susan is looking forward to the opportunity to get a scholarship to study in the United States. (correct) I'm looking forward to the party next week. (correct) I'm looking forward to your visit. (your letter, your reply) (correct) Note: We can use it in negative sentences, too: Tom is not looking forward to his birthday this year. (correct) :: We use an "-ing" form of the verb after "look forward to": I look forward to working with you. (hearing from you soon, seeing you again) (correct) I look forward to work with you. (hear from you soon, see you again) (incorrect) I'm looking forward to working with you. (hearing from you soon, seeing you again) (correct) I'm looking forward to work with you. (incorrect) Pamela is looking forward to visiting London next month. (correct) Pamela is looking forward to visit London next month. (incorrect) Note: We use "look forward to" (simple present tense) in more formal written English and "looking forward to" (present continuous tense) in more informal spoken and written English. :: Look up - to try to find a word, name, number, etc. in a reference book If you're not sure how to spell a word, look it up in the dictionary. (correct) :: Watch out (informal) - used to warn somebody about something dangerous (from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary) Watch out! There is a truck coming! (correct) We have to watch out because there is a bear over there. (correct) :: Watch over someone/something (informal) - to guard, protect, or be in charge of someone or something: I'll watch over my little sister tonight. (correct) After the incident, Emma's parents hired a lifeguard to watch over her. (correct) The guards watch over our house. (correct) Please, watch over my suitcase for a minute. (correct) |
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