watch at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "watch at" is not correct or usable in written English.
Instead, you could use the phrase "watch" or "look at." For example: "I watched the sun set on the horizon."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Watch at first possibly opportunity.

Independent

Watch: At home with Roz Chast.

The New Yorker

Omar Minaya plans to watch at home.

The New York Times - Sports

"I could watch at my apartment".

The New Yorker

Watch at 14mins, 25secs here.

The Guardian

But others you can't watch at all.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Well, first of all they watch at-risk groups carefully.

The Guardian

So there's a chance to bird-watch at Wimbledon?

Independent

What's better than a Kate Moss frow-watch at Topshop?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Jimmer was a must-watch at BYU.

Huffington Post

This is group-watch at its finest. .

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the act of observing something, prefer the single word "watch" or the phrase "look at" for clearer and more grammatically sound sentences.

Common error

The preposition "at" is often unnecessary after "watch". Removing it typically results in a grammatically correct sentence. For example, use "watch the game" instead of "watch at the game".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "watch at" functions as a verb phrase, but it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is not correct, suggesting that simply using the verb "watch" or "look at" is preferable. It occasionally appears in various contexts, but more often as part of other phrases.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "watch at" appears frequently, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI suggests using just "watch" or "look at" instead. The phrase's prevalence across various contexts, as highlighted by the examples, doesn't validate its correctness. It's more a reflection of common errors. For clarity and grammatical accuracy, it is advisable to avoid "watch at" and opt for simpler alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

look at

Emphasizes directing one's gaze.

observe

Focuses on the act of noticing something.

view

Implies watching something more formally or deliberately.

witness

Highlights seeing something happen, especially an event.

monitor

Suggests watching something over a period of time, often for changes.

keep an eye on

Indicates watching something carefully to protect it or ensure nothing goes wrong.

pay attention to

Focuses on giving something your concentration or notice.

behold

Implies a sense of wonder or awe when watching something.

scrutinize

Highlights watching something very carefully to find flaws or details.

regard

Indicates looking at or considering something in a particular way.

FAQs

How can I correct the phrase "watch at" in a sentence?

In most cases, you can simply remove the "at". For example, instead of saying "I will watch at the parade", say "I will "watch the parade"".

Is "watch at" ever correct?

While generally incorrect, "watch at" might appear in very specific, non-standard contexts. It's best to use alternatives like "look at" or simply "watch" for clarity.

What is a simple substitute for "watch at"?

The most straightforward replacement is often just the verb "watch". For instance, instead of "We'll watch at home", use "We'll "watch home"".

Why is "watch at" considered grammatically incorrect?

The verb "watch" typically takes a direct object without needing the preposition "at". The preposition can introduce redundancy or imply an awkward phrasing. Opting for a cleaner, direct structure with just "watch" improves clarity.