Look
Collocation Node: look
Collocation Overview
Look is an active, intentional verb of vision. It requires effort; you must physically direct your eyes toward something. Because it is intransitive in this sense, it almost always requires a preposition (look at, look for, look into). Beyond vision, look acts as a linking verb to describe physical appearance or impressions (she looks tired), and serves as the base for a massive number of essential phrasal verbs.
🗺️ Semantic Collocation Map
Zone 1: Intentional Vision & Direction
- The Concept: Pointing your eyes deliberately at a static target.
- Structure:
look + at + Object - Key Collocations: look at me, look closely, look away, look in the mirror.
- Context: He looked at the map to figure out where they were.
Zone 2: Appearance & Impressions (Linking Verb)
- The Concept: Describing how someone or something appears to the eye or mind.
- Structure:
look + AdjectiveORlook like + Noun - Key Collocations: look tired, look good, look like your mother, look as if...
- Context: You look exhausted; you should get some sleep.
Zone 3: Searching & Investigation
- The Concept: Trying to find something that is lost or unknown.
- Key Collocations: look for (my keys), look into (the problem), look up (a word).
- Context: I have been looking for my wallet all morning.
Zone 4: Noun Usage (Glances & Style)
- The Concept: A brief visual inspection, or a specific style of fashion.
- Key Collocations: take a look, have a look, a vintage look, a new look.
- Context: Could you take a look at my computer? It's not working.
🧩 Key Lexical Chunks (Phrasal Verbs & Idioms)
Spoken & Written Formulaic Units
- Natural Grammar/03-Chunks/look-forward-to: To feel excited and happy about something that is going to happen. ("I am looking forward to the weekend.")
- look-after: To take care of someone or something. ("Can you look after my dog while I am on vacation?")
- Natural Grammar/03-Chunks/look-up-to: To deeply admire and respect someone, usually an older person or role model. ("He has always looked up to his older brother.")
- look-down-on: To think that you are better than someone else. ("She looks down on people who don't have a college degree.")
🎴 Interactive Web Practice (10 Questions)
Practice 1: Please look ______ the camera and smile!
Answer:
at Practice 2: That cloud looks exactly ______ a rabbit.
Answer:
like Practice 3: I am really looking forward ______ seeing you next week.
Answer:
to Practice 4: Could you take a ______ at this document and tell me what you think?
Answer:
look Practice 5: I need someone to look ______ my plants while I am away.
Answer:
after Practice 6: If you don't know what the word means, look it ______ in the dictionary.
Answer:
up Practice 7: The manager promised to look ______ the customer's complaint immediately.
Answer:
into Practice 8: You shouldn't look down ______ people just because they have less money.
Answer:
on Practice 9: I've been looking ______ my glasses everywhere, but I can't find them.
Answer:
for Practice 10: She has always looked up ______ her grandmother as a role model.
Answer:
to 🔗 Network Connections
- ⚖️ Discrimination: look-vs-see-vs-watch — Sensory boundaries
- 🧩 Chunk: Natural Grammar/03-Chunks/look-forward-to — Anticipation
- 🧩 Chunk: look-after — Caretaking
- 🧩 Chunk: Natural Grammar/03-Chunks/look-up-to — Admiration
- 🧩 Chunk: look-down-on — Condescension