What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
viewed
Example
The artwork was viewed by many visitors at the museum. [viewed: past tense]
Example
I viewed the presentation slides before the meeting. [viewed: verb]
Example
The data was viewed from different angles to identify patterns. [viewed: past participle]
watched
Example
We watched the sunset from the beach. [watched: past tense]
Example
She watched the movie with her friends last night. [watched: verb]
Example
The security guard watched the surveillance footage for any suspicious activity. [watched: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Watched is more commonly used than viewed in everyday language, especially in casual contexts. Viewed is more commonly used in academic or professional settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between viewed and watched?
Viewed is generally considered more formal than watched, and is often used in academic or professional contexts. Watched is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
