Meaning
be careful; search for/view outside
Primary Function
Warning or alerting
Communicative Purpose
Alerting someone to immediate danger or directing attention to a specific threat or opportunity
Pattern
Look out!; look out for
Core Structure
Look out!; look out for
Função primária
Warning or alerting
Propósito comunicativo
Alerting someone to immediate danger or directing attention to a specific threat or opportunity
Situações de gatilho
Seeing a hazard, peering from a window, seeking a job or opportunity
Contextos
Everyday conversation, informal settings
Padrão
Look out!; look out for
Estrutura central
Look out!; look out for
Slots de substituição
for + noun phrase indicating a threat or opportunity (e.g., pickpockets, a new job); out + prepositional phrase indicating direction (e.g., the window)
Colocados típicos
- careful
- watch out
- you'd better
Substituições comuns
- watch out
- be careful
- keep an eye out
Erros comuns
Using 'look out from' — correct is 'look out of the window'
Similar / contraste
watch out, beware, keep an eye out
Interferências
Learners may confuse 'look out' (warning) with 'look out for' (be alert to something specific); some L1 speakers may translate 'look out' as 'look outside' in all contexts, missing the warning meaning
Família do chunk
- lookout (noun)
Nuance
The exclamation 'Look out!' signals immediate danger; 'look out for' implies planned vigilance toward a specific threat or opportunity
Efeito pragmático
Protective; prompts immediate attention and caution
Dica de memória
Danger alert!
Nota
The chunk 'look out' can be used both as an urgent warning and as a way to express the action of looking outside. It is important to distinguish between the two meanings in context.
Upgrade path
look out for yourself
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