Cool MateKeep an eye on the clock vs Watch
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Keep an eye on the clock
Top 2,000 (common)
Watch
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
Most common: Watch
| Keep an eye on the clock | Watch | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //kiːp ən aɪ ɒn ðə klɒk//🇺🇸 //kip ən aɪ ɑn ðə klɑk// | 🇬🇧 /["/wɒtʃ/","/ˈwɒtʃɪz/","/wɒtʃt/","/ˈwɒtʃɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/wɑːtʃ/","/ˈwɑːtʃɪz/","/wɑːtʃt/","/ˈwɑːtʃɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To watch the time carefully. | To look at something for a period of time. |
| Example | You should keep an eye on the clock during the exam. | I love to watch movies on the weekends. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | A1 |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | keep an eye on time, keep an eye on details, keep an eye on someone | carefully, closely, attentively, could only, continue to, pause to, for, from, in, sit and watch, stand and watch, watch and wait |
| Antonyms | - | ignore, overlook, neglect |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'keep an eye on' without specifying what to watch., Using 'clock' in a non-timely context., Missing the sense of vigilance in the phrase. | 'Watched' vs 'watching': confusing past and present forms., 'Watch' is not used with 'something': saying 'watch something' instead of just 'watch'., Using 'watch' for inanimate objects like books, instead of 'read'. |
| Usage notes | Use this phrase when reminding someone to pay attention to the time. It's informal and may not be appropriate in very formal settings. | Used for looking at moving images or events. More formal contexts may use 'view' instead, while 'watch' is appropriate in casual conversations. Avoid using in highly formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Keep an eye on the clock vs Watch
What's the difference between Keep an eye on the clock and Watch?
Keep an eye on the clock: To watch the time carefully. Watch: To look at something for a period of time.
Which is more common: Keep an eye on the clock and Watch?
Watch is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Keep an eye on the clock: You should keep an eye on the clock during the exam. Watch: I love to watch movies on the weekends.
Can I use Keep an eye on the clock and Watch interchangeably?
Not always. Keep an eye on the clock and Watch are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.