Question
Zaktualizowano na
maisiegray
18 lis 2020

  • japoński
  • angielski (amerykański)
  • francuski (Francja)
Pytanie o angielski (amerykański)

Co znaczy But, I can look at the desserts and dream about them. (Please check a supplemental explanation)
 ?

I take English grammar class and I am learning about "Can" as permission. I did conversation exercise, but I could not understand it means and why it use "look", not "see"?

The contents of this question is there are 2 men at the restaurant and having dinner together. The man ask to another man "Can I 'see' the dessert menu?". Then another man said "You're on a diet! You can't have dessert." After that, the man responses another man "But, I can 'look' at the desserts and dream about them."

What if "But, I can 'see' at the desserts and dream about them”, what would happen meaning?

Odpowiedzi
Więcej komentarzy
meesk
18 lis 2020

  • angielski (amerykański)

There’s a slight difference between look and see.

See simply means to have something in your vision.
Look at can mean to inspect or examine.

“But I can see the desserts and dream about them”
Would imply that he sees the physical objects like a slice of cake or bowl of icecream.

“But I can look at the desserts and dream about them”
Means he can examine/read the menu

3176
18 lis 2020

  • angielski (amerykański)

So when we say “can see,” it implies that you are able to. “I can see my house” would usually mean that a person is able to look at their house when they weren’t able to before — maybe they went on a walk, and when they get close to the house they say “I can see my house now!” However, “can look at” has a different implication. This usually means that you are going to look at the details or maybe different kinds of something; it can also imply that you are *allowed* to do it, rather than *able* to.

It’s pretty hard to explain the difference, but a good example would be “I can see the mountains” vs “I can look at the mountains.” If I read the first sentence, I would think it meant that they can see the mountains for the first time (ever, or in a long time). If I read the second sentence, I’d think it meant that 1) someone else told them they aren’t supposed to look at the mountains, and so they respond “I can [I’m allowed to] look at the mountains!” OR 2) they’re bored and looking for something to do, and that’s one of the options: “I can read a book, I can look at the mountains....” (In this situation, it’s implied that the mountains were already there.)

Sorry for such a long explanation! I hope it helps :)

[Aktualności] Hej, Ty! Ty uczący się języka!

Wiesz jak poprawić swój język obcy❓ Potrzebujesz tylko, żeby Twoje teksty poprawił native speaker!
W HiNative native speaker poprawi Twoje teksty za darmo ✍️✨.
Zarejestruj się
Udostępnij to pytanie
Co znaczy But, I can look at the desserts and dream about them. (Please check a supplemental explanation) ?
Related questions
Similar questions
Trending questions
Newest Questions (HOT)
Newest Questions
Poprzednie pytanie / Następne pytanie

Zadawaj pytania native speakerom bezpłatnie

Zarejestruj się za darmo
hinative app preview balloon background image flying monga
  1. HiNative
  2. D
  3. De
  4. Dessert
  5. Co znaczy But, I can lo...