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Phrasal verbs "look in" vs "look on"

Differences between look in and look on

Look in means to visit a place briefly or quickly, while look on means to observe something without being directly involved.

Meanings and Definitions: look in vs look on

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Look in

  • 1Make a quick visit.

    I'll LOOK IN on my way home.

Look on

  • 1Watch something like a crime without helping.

    The crowd just LOOKED ON as the old lady was mugged.

Usage Examples: look in, look on in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

look in

Example

I will look in on my way home from work.

Example

She looks in on her elderly neighbor every day.

look on

Example

Many people looked on as the parade passed by.

Example

He looks on as his friends play basketball.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Look in

drop by

To visit someone or somewhere briefly or informally.

Example

I'm going to drop by my friend's house after work to pick up some books.

pop in

To visit someone or somewhere briefly or unexpectedly.

Example

I decided to pop in at the coffee shop to grab a quick drink before heading to the meeting.

swing by

To visit someone or somewhere briefly or casually while on the way to another destination.

Example

I need to swing by the post office to mail a package before going to the gym.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Look on

observe from afar

To watch or monitor something from a distance without being directly involved.

Example

The security team was observing from afar to ensure the safety of the event attendees.

watch from the sidelines

To observe a situation or event without actively participating or being directly involved.

Example

He decided to watch from the sidelines and let his teammates handle the project presentation.

take a backseat

To step back and allow others to take control or lead in a situation.

Example

She decided to take a backseat and let her colleague handle the negotiations with the client.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “in”

Phrasal Verbs with “on”

Differences in look in vs look on: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: look in or look on?

In daily conversation, people use look on more often than look in. This is because look on can be used in various situations, such as watching a game or observing a situation, while look in is more specific and less commonly used.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of look in and look on

Look in and look on are both informal phrases that are suitable for everyday interactions with friends and family. However, look on can also be used in more formal settings like business or academic contexts to describe an objective observation.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of look in and look on

The tone of look in and look on can differ based on context. Look in often carries a hurried or casual tone when related to visiting a place briefly, while look on typically has a detached or neutral tone, especially when referring to observing a situation or event.

look in & look on: Synonyms and Antonyms

Look in

Synonyms

  • visit briefly
  • check on
  • drop by
  • stop by
  • pop in
  • call in

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