student asking question

What's the main difference between "watch" and "surveil"?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

"Watch" means to look at something for an extended period of time. "Surveil" means to carefully watch someone and listen to their private conversations, usually to determine if illegal activity is going on. Ex: Let's watch a movie! Ex: I have to watch my little brother this weekend. Ex: The police have surveillance on his house. Ex: She is under constant surveillance after going to prison for armed robbery.

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