What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
look
Example
I looked at the beautiful sunset. [looked: past tense]
Example
She gave me a strange look. [look: noun]
Example
He looked closely at the painting to appreciate its details. [looked: verb]
stare
Example
The child stared at the clown in amazement. [stared: past tense]
Example
She gave him a cold stare. [stare: noun]
Example
He stared at the computer screen for hours, trying to solve the problem. [stared: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Look is more commonly used than stare in everyday language. Look is a versatile term that covers a wide range of contexts, while stare is less common and often used in specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between look and stare?
Both look and stare can be used in formal and informal contexts, but look is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, while stare is more likely to be used in informal or negative contexts.
