See

We use the verb see to talk about using our eyes to be aware of what is around us:

• He turned on the light so that he could see.
• Did you see that falling star?

We can use see followed by an object and a verb in different constructions:

• We saw their car drive past the house yesterday. (see + object + base form)
• Not: We saw their car to drive past …
• Did you see the children playing? (see + object + -ing form)
• On television, we saw Nelson Mandela presented with a special prize. (see + object + -ed form)

Spoken English:

When we see something as we are speaking, we usually say can see rather than the simple (I see) or continuous form (I’m seeing):

• I can see you in the photo. Look, there you are at the very back.

We use see to mean ‘understand, know or be aware of something’. We don’t usually use this in continuous form:

• [one person is explaining how to use a computer software program]
• A: … All that appears on the screen is what you put in the value.
• B: I see. Right.
• Not: I’m seeing.

We can use you see when we are explaining something.

• They had no children. They married late, you see.

We also use see to mean ‘meet or come into contact with someone’, or ‘visit a place’:

• We went to see my mother at the weekend.
• Have you seen Jerry lately?

We can use the continuous form of see when it refers to an arrangement to meet someone:

• I*’m*** seeing Harry at ten o’clock tomorrow. What shall I tell him?

We can also use the continuous form of see to mean ‘meeting someone as part of a romantic relationship’:

• I asked her to go out on a date with me but she told me she was already seeing someone.

See also

• You see