We use the verbseeto talk about using our eyes to be aware of what is around us:
He turned on the light so that he couldsee.
Did youseethat falling star?
We can useseefollowed by an object and a verb in different constructions:
Wesawtheir car drive past the house yesterday.(see+ object + base form)
Not:We saw their car to drive past…
Did youseethe children playing?(see+ object + -ingform)
On television, wesawNelson Mandela presented with a special prize.(see+ object +-edform)
When we see something as we are speaking, we usually saycan seerather than the simple (I see) or continuous form (I’m seeing):
Ican seeyou in the photo. Look, there you are at the very back.
We useseeto mean ‘understand, know or be aware of something’. We don’t usually use this in continuous form:
[one person is explaining how to use a computer software program]
A:… All that appears on the screen is what you put in the value.
B:I see.Right.
Not:I’m seeing.
We can useyou seewhen we are explaining something.
They had no children. They married late,you see.
We also useseeto mean ‘meet or come into contact with someone’, or ‘visit a place’:
We went toseemy mother at the weekend.
HaveyouseenJerry lately?
We can use the continuous form ofseewhen it refers to an arrangement to meet someone:
I’mseeingHarry at ten o’clock tomorrow. What shall I tell him?
We can also use the continuous form ofseeto mean ‘meeting someone as part of a romantic relationship’:
I asked her to go out on a date with me but she told me shewasalreadyseeingsomeone.
See also:
You see