She handed me the picture and I took a look at it.
She handed me the picture and I looked at it.
Does "took a look at" imply a briefer look than "looked at"?
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anonymousDoes "took a look at" imply a briefer look than "looked at"?
That's how I take it, yes.
CJ
Comments
The second sentence might suggest a longer "look", but the actual length of the look would depend on the context that each sentence appears in. For example:
She handed me the picture and I took a look at it. It was an old photo, worn with age, and I had trouble making out the individuals in it. (This would suggest a long examination of the picture because to its condition.)
She handed me the picture and I took look at it. It wasn't the one I was looking for and I handed it back. (A look that is not lengthy is suggested here.)
She handed me the picture and I looked at it. I stared at the woman in the photo. It definitely was Marie, 20 years younger. (A long look is suggested here.)
She handed me the picture and I looked at it. It was a woman of the same stature and coloring as Marie but it definitely wasn't her. (A look that is not lengthy is suggested here.)
The second sentence might suggest a longer "look", but the actual length of the look would depend on the context that each sentence appears in. For example:
She handed me the picture and I took a look at it. It was an old photo, worn with age, and I had trouble making out the individuals in it. (This would suggest a long examination of the picture because to its condition.)
She handed me the picture and I took look at it. It wasn't the one I was looking for and I handed it back. (A look that is not lengthy is suggested here.)
She handed me the picture and I looked at it. I stared at the woman in the photo. It definitely was Marie, 20 years younger. (A long look is suggested here.)
She handed me the picture and I looked at it. It was a woman of the same stature and coloring as Marie but it definitely wasn't her. (A look that is not lengthy is suggested here.)