watch
watch — verb
1. to direct your eyes toward someone or something that is moving, changing, or doi
to direct your eyes toward someone or something that is moving, changing, or doing something, and pay attention as things unfold — unlike a quick look, this takes place over some length of time.
Kwame watched the sunset from the hill behind his house.
watch + object (event evolving over time)
The children sat on the floor and watched their favourite cartoon.
Nadia watches the news every evening before dinner.
Christopher watched the birds flying over the lake for nearly an hour.
We sat on a bench and watched the boats on the river.
- ignore
deliberately not pay attention to something (B1)
文法句型
watch + object (noun/pronoun)
watch + object + verb
watch + for + noun
用法筆記
Distinguish from 'see' (which happens without effort) and 'look at' (which can be a quick glance). 'Watch' always implies paying attention over time, so you watch a movie but you see a friend across the street.
常見錯誤
2. to take temporary charge of a child, an older person, or a possession so that th
to take temporary charge of a child, an older person, or a possession so that they stay out of danger.
Can you watch my bag while I buy a ticket at the counter?
watch + possession for a short time
Reema watched her neighbour's son for an hour after school.
Tariq asked his sister to watch the house while he was on holiday.
Nellie watched the shop while the owner went to lunch.
- look after
suggests longer-term care (A2)
- mind
British English; used for children or a shop (B1)
- tend to
more formal; often used with plants or animals (B2)
- neglect
failing to care for something (C1)
文法句型
watch + object (person/thing)
用法筆記
Unlike 'look after' or 'take care of', 'watch' is normally used for short periods. You watch a friend's child for an hour, but you take care of your own child all day.
常見錯誤
3. to pay close attention to a situation so that you notice possible danger, proble
to pay close attention to a situation so that you notice possible danger, problems, or changes — for example, watching for icy roads while driving, or watching what you say so you do not offend anyone.
Watch your step — those stairs are very steep and uneven.
watch + possessive + noun (warning)
Élise watched for any sign of movement in the dark forest.
watch + for + noun (looking out for)
You should watch what you eat if you want to lose weight.
Brian watched his language during the job interview and did not use any slang.
The hikers watched the weather closely before setting off up the mountain.
- be careful of
more general warning; less focused on visual attention (A2)
- be on the lookout for
more idiomatic; suggests active scanning (B2)
- mind
British English; used in warnings like 'mind the gap' (A2)
- disregard
pay no attention to a danger (C1)
文法句型
watch + question word (what/where)
watch + for + noun
watch + object
用法筆記
Common in fixed expressions: 'watch your mouth/tongue' (be careful what you say), 'watch your step' (be careful how you walk or behave), 'watch your weight/health' (monitor something carefully). The 'watch for' pattern means looking out for something that might appear.
常見錯誤
watch — noun
1. a small timekeeping device worn around the wrist on a strap or bracelet, used to
a small timekeeping device worn around the wrist on a strap or bracelet, used to tell the time.
Joon checked his watch and realised he was late for the meeting.
check + watch (common collocation)
Ingrid wears a silver watch that her grandmother gave her years ago.
My watch stopped working, so I need to buy a new battery.
Hari glanced at his watch during the long lecture and sighed.
Kwame bought a smart watch that tracks his heart rate and steps.
- wristwatch
more formal or technical term for a watch on your wrist (A2)
- timepiece
formal or old-fashioned term for any clock or watch (C1)
- chronometer
very precise watch; used for scientific or sailing purposes (C2)
文法句型
wear + a watch
look at + watch
check + watch
用法筆記
A watch differs from a clock because you wear it. 'Wristwatch' is a fuller term but less common in everyday speech. 'Pocket watch' is a different kind of watch carried in a pocket.
常見錯誤
2. the act of giving close and ongoing attention to someone or something so that ha
the act of giving close and ongoing attention to someone or something so that harm or wrongdoing does not occur.
The police kept a close watch on the empty building all night.
keep + watch (collocation)
Soldiers maintained a constant watch at every checkpoint along the border.
Nellie kept watch while the others searched the room for evidence.
The neighbourhood watch organises patrols every evening after dark.
Mert kept watch from the rooftop while the security team unlocked the back entrance.
- surveillance
formal; systematic observation by authorities (C1)
- lookout
the state of watching for something to happen (B2)
- vigil
staying awake to watch, often for religious or protest purposes (C1)
- negligence
failing to watch or guard properly (C1)
文法句型
keep watch
stand watch
be on watch
用法筆記
Often used in the fixed phrases 'keep watch' (to stay alert and look for danger) and 'be on watch' (to be in the position of guarding). 'Neighbourhood watch' is a community program where residents look out for crime.
常見錯誤
3. an individual or team employed to keep a building, area, or person safe from har
an individual or team employed to keep a building, area, or person safe from harm, trespass, or theft.
The night watch made his rounds through the factory every hour.
The night watch patrols the factory grounds every two hours from dusk until dawn.
guard personnel doing rounds
The afternoon watch checked every delivery truck at the factory gate before letting it through.
Tariq served on the night watch for two years at the embassy.
文法句型
the watch + singular/plural verb
用法筆記
When used as a collective noun ('the watch'), it refers to the entire group of guards on duty. 'Night watch' refers specifically to guards working through the night. 'Watchman' is an older term for an individual guard.
4. a scheduled block of hours when a crew member or guard is responsible for safety
a scheduled block of hours when a crew member or guard is responsible for safety, most commonly used on ships.
Joaquín was assigned to the first watch, from midnight until four in the morning.
first / second / third watch (nautical system)
Each sailor serves a four-hour watch and then has eight hours off duty.
During Brian's watch, nothing unusual happened on the ship.
The captain ordered the crew to report for the next watch at six o'clock sharp.
- shift
general term for any work period (B1)
- duty period
more general and formal (B2)
- dog watch
specific short watch period on a ship (C2)
文法句型
first/second/third watch
during + possessive + watch
watch + ends/begins
用法筆記
On ships, the day is divided into watches of usually four hours each (though some are two-hour dog watches). 'Watch' can also refer to the section of the crew on duty during that period.
常見錯誤
5. the period during which a particular person is responsible for a situation or or
the period during which a particular person is responsible for a situation or organisation and is answerable for what happens.
The company lost three major clients on the previous manager's watch.
on + possessive + watch (responsibility)
New factory safety rules were introduced on Kwame's watch as head of security.
No mistakes were made under Reema's watch, though the team was short-staffed.
Not on my watch! the captain shouted when a sailor suggested ignoring the safety drill.
文法句型
on + possessive + watch
under + possessive + watch
用法筆記
Almost always used in the fixed phrases 'on someone's watch' or 'under someone's watch'. Commonly appears in negative contexts — things that went wrong while a person was in charge. 'Not on my watch!' is a common expression meaning 'I will not allow that to happen.'