Ask Difference

See vs. Seeing — What's the Difference?

By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 12, 2024
"See" is the base form of the verb, indicating visual perception or understanding, while "seeing" can be a continuous action or a participial form used descriptively.
See vs. Seeing — What's the Difference?

Difference Between See and Seeing

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Key Differences

"See" is the infinitive or base form of the verb, used to refer to the act of perceiving with the eyes or to understand something. It is often used in simple present tense constructions or to express a future action when used with modal verbs. For example, "I see the car" or "I will see the doctor tomorrow." On the other hand, "seeing" is the present participle form of "see," used in continuous tenses to describe an ongoing action, as in "I am seeing a movie tonight." It can also function as a gerund or adjective, as in "Seeing is believing" or in the phrase "a seeing-eye dog."
"See" can also imply the act of meeting or visiting someone, as in "See you soon" or "I see my friends on weekends." In contrast, "seeing" in a continuous or gerund form might imply a more prolonged or regular engagement, such as in a romantic context ("They are seeing each other") or in the process of understanding ("Seeing the effects of pollution changed his mind").
The usage of "see" can denote a single, specific instance or a habitual action, depending on the context, such as "I see what you mean" versus "I see her at the gym regularly." "Seeing," especially when used in progressive tenses, emphasizes the duration or process of the action, suggesting a more immersive or involved experience, like "I am seeing improvements in my health."
In expressions or idiomatic usage, "see" can be part of phrases with various meanings beyond literal sight, such as "to see someone off" or "to see through someone's lies." "Seeing," when used descriptively, often highlights the action's ongoing nature or its role in a broader context, like "seeing the world through rose-colored glasses."
While "see" is more straightforward and can fit various grammatical structures, "seeing" adds a layer of complexity, indicating duration, participation, or being in the midst of an action. Both forms are integral to expressing different aspects of perception, interaction, and understanding in language.
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Comparison Chart

Form

Base verb
Present participle/gerund

Usage

Simple perception or understanding, future plans
Ongoing action, continuous tense, descriptive

Examples

"I see the car."
"I am seeing a movie."

Implications

Immediate or habitual action
Duration, process, ongoing involvement

Idiomatic Expressions

"See you later."
"Seeing is believing."

Compare with Definitions

See

To perceive with the eyes.
I see a bird in the tree.

Seeing

Used in continuous tenses for ongoing actions.
She is seeing a specialist for her condition.

See

To understand or comprehend.
I see what you're saying.

Seeing

Indicates an ongoing visual perception.
I am seeing strange lights in the sky.

See

To meet or visit someone.
I'll see you at 6 PM.

Seeing

As a gerund, denotes the act of perceiving or understanding.
Seeing is a part of believing.

See

Used in various idiomatic expressions.
Long time no see.

Seeing

Can imply a relationship or regular engagement.
They have been seeing each other for months.

See

Can indicate future actions with modal verbs.
I will see the doctor tomorrow.

Seeing

Descriptive, indicating an immersive or participatory action.
Seeing the world through his lens is fascinating.

See

Perceive with the eyes; discern visually
Andrew couldn't see out of his left eye
In the distance she could see the blue sea
I can't see into the future

Seeing

Because; since
Seeing that I'm awake, I might as well come with you

See

Discern or deduce after reflection or from information; understand
I can't see any other way to treat it
She could see what Rhoda meant
I saw that perhaps he was right

Seeing

The action of seeing someone or something.

See

Experience or witness (an event or situation)
I shall not live to see it
I can't bear to see you so unhappy

Seeing

Inasmuch as; in view of the fact
Seeing that you're already at the door, I suppose I must invite you inside.

See

Meet (someone one knows) socially or by chance
I saw Colin last night

Seeing

The clarity of focus of an image in a telescope, measured by the angular size of a single star in that image.

See

Escort or conduct (someone) to a specified place
Don't bother seeing me out

Seeing

Present participle of see

See

Ensure
See that no harm comes to him
Lucy saw to it that everyone got enough to eat

Seeing

Having vision; not blind.

See

(in poker or brag) equal the bet of (an opponent) and require them to reveal their cards in order to determine who has won the hand.

Seeing

The action of the verb to see; eyesight.

See

The place in which a cathedral church stands, identified as the seat of authority of a bishop or archbishop.

Seeing

(astronomy) The movement or distortion of a telescopic image as a result of turbulence in the Earth's atmosphere.

See

To perceive with the eye
Do you see the hawk in the tree?.

Seeing

(slang) Inasmuch as; in view of the fact that.
Seeing the boss wasn't around, we took it easy.

See

To detect by means analogous to use of the eye
The surveillance camera saw the intruders.

Seeing

In view of the fact (that); considering; taking into account (that); insmuch as; since; because; - followed by a dependent clause; as, he did well, seeing that he was so young.
Wherefore come ye to me, seeing ye hate me?

See

To attend or view as a spectator
Saw a play.

Seeing

Perception by means of the eyes

See

To refer to or look at
Persons interested in the book's history should see page one of the preface.

Seeing

Normal use of the faculty of vision

See

To become aware of or apprehend
She saw from his expression that he did not want to go.

Seeing

Having vision, not blind

See

To find out or ascertain, often by moving
Please see who's knocking.

See

To take note of; recognize
She sees only the good aspects of the organization.

See

To consider to be; regard
Many see her as an inspiring figure.

See

To have a mental image of; visualize
They could still see their hometown as it once was.

See

To foresee or imagine
I see great things for that child.

See

To know through firsthand experience; undergo or experience
He saw service in the navy. She has seen many changes in her lifetime.

See

To be characterized by; be the time for
"The 1930s saw the development of sulfa drugs and penicillin" (Gregg Easterbrook).

See

To be subjected to; undergo
This word sees a lot of use in sports.

See

To visit, meet, or be in the company of
I saw all my aunts and uncles at the reunion.

See

To share the companionship of as a romantic partner
He's been seeing the same woman for eight years.

See

To visit for consultation
You ought to see your doctor more frequently.

See

To admit or receive, as for consultation or a social visit
The doctor will see you now.

See

To escort; attend
I'm seeing Amy home.

See

To make sure; take care
See that it gets done right away.

See

To meet (a bet) in card games.

See

To meet the bet of (another player).

See

To have the power to perceive with the eyes
Once I got glasses I could see much better.

See

To have the ability to detect or record visual information
This telescope sees far into space.

See

To understand; comprehend
As you can see, life in medieval Europe was difficult.

See

To consider
Let's see, which suitcase should we take?.

See

To go and look
She had to see for herself and went into the garage.

See

To ascertain; find out
We probably can do it, but we'll have to see.

See

To have foresight
"No man can see to the end of time" (John F. Kennedy).

See

The official seat, center of authority, jurisdiction, or office of a bishop.

See

(Obsolete) A cathedra.

See

(transitive) To perceive or detect someone or something with the eyes, or as if by sight.

See

To witness or observe by personal experience.
Now I've seen it all!
I have been blind since birth and I love to read Braille. When the books arrive in from the library, I can’t wait to see what stories they have sent me.

See

To watch (a movie) at a cinema, or a show on television etc.
I saw the latest Tarantino flick last week.

See

To form a mental picture of.

See

(figuratively) To understand.
Do you see what I mean?

See

To come to a realization of having been mistaken or misled.
They're blind to the damage they do, but someday they'll see.

See

(transitive) To foresee, predict, or prophesy.
The oracle saw the destruction of the city.

See

(used in the imperative) Used to emphasise a proposition.
You see, Johnny, your Dad isn't your real father.
You're not welcome here any more, see?

See

(social) To meet, to visit.

See

To have an interview with; especially, to make a call upon; to visit.
To go to see a friend

See

To date frequently.
I've been seeing her for two months.

See

To visit for a medical appointment.
You should see a doctor about that rash on your arm.
I've been seeing a therapist for three years now.

See

(transitive; ergative) To be the setting or time of.
The 20th century saw humanity's first space exploration.
1999 saw the release of many great films.

See

(by extension) To ensure that something happens, especially while witnessing it.
I'll see you hang for this!
I saw that they didn't make any more trouble.

See

(transitive) To wait upon; attend, escort.
I saw the old lady safely across the road.
You can see yourself out.

See

To respond to another player's bet with a bet of equal value.
I'll see your twenty dollars and raise you ten.

See

To determine by trial or experiment; to find out (if or whether).
I'll come over later and see if I can fix your computer.
You think I can't beat you in a race, eh? We'll see.

See

(used in the imperative) To reference or to study for further details.
Step 4: In the system, check out the laptop to the student (see: "Logging Resources" in the Tutor Manual).
For a complete proof of the Poincaré conjecture, see Appendix C.

See

To examine something closely, or to utilize something, often as a temporary alternative.
Can I see that lighter for a second? Mine just quit working.

See

To include as one of something's experiences.
The equipment has not seen usage outside of our projects.
I saw military service in Vietnam.

See

Introducing an explanation
See, in order to win the full prize we would have to come up with a scheme to land a rover on the Moon.

See

A diocese, archdiocese; a region of a church, generally headed by a bishop, especially an archbishop.

See

The office of a bishop or archbishop; bishopric or archbishopric

See

A seat; a site; a place where sovereign power is exercised.

See

A seat; a site; a place where sovereign power is exercised.
Jove laughed on Venus from his sovereign see.

See

The seat of episcopal power; a diocese; the jurisdiction of a bishop; as, the see of New York.

See

To perceive by the eye; to have knowledge of the existence and apparent qualities of by the organs of sight; to behold; to descry; to view.
I will now turn aside, and see this great sight.

See

To perceive by mental vision; to form an idea or conception of; to note with the mind; to observe; to discern; to distinguish; to understand; to comprehend; to ascertain.
Go, I pray thee, see whether it be well with thy brethren.
Jesus saw that he answered discreetly.
Who's so grossThat seeth not this palpable device?

See

To follow with the eyes, or as with the eyes; to watch; to regard attentively; to look after.
I had a mind to see him out, and therefore did not care for contradicting him.

See

To accompany in person; to escort; to wait upon; as, to see one home; to see one aboard the cars.

See

In poker and similar games at cards, to meet (a bet), or to equal the bet of (a player), by staking the same sum.

See

To have the power of sight, or of perceiving by the proper organs; to possess or employ the sense of vision; as, he sees distinctly.
Whereas I was blind, now I see.

See

Figuratively: To have intellectual apprehension; to perceive; to know; to understand; to discern; - often followed by a preposition, as through, or into.
For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.
Many sagacious persons will find us out, . . . and see through all our fine pretensions.

See

To be attentive; to take care; to give heed; - generally with to; as, to see to the house.
See that ye fall not out by the way.
Cassio's a proper man, let me see now, -To get his place.

See

The seat within a bishop's diocese where his cathedral is located

See

Perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight;
You have to be a good observer to see all the details
Can you see the bird in that tree?
He is blind--he cannot see

See

Perceive (an idea or situation) mentally;
Now I see!
I just can't see your point
Does she realize how important this decision is?
I don't understand the idea

See

Perceive or be contemporaneous with;
We found Republicans winning the offices
You'll see a lot of cheating in this school
I want to see results
The 1960 saw the rebellion of the younger generation against established traditions
I want to see results

See

Imagine; conceive of; see in one's mind;
I can't see him on horseback!
I can see what will happen
I can see a risk in this strategy

See

Deem to be;
She views this quite differently from me
I consider her to be shallow
I don't see the situation quite as negatively as you do

See

Get to know or become aware of, usually accidentally;
I learned that she has two grown-up children
I see that you have been promoted

See

See or watch;
View a show on television
This program will be seen all over the world
View an exhibition
Catch a show on Broadway
See a movie

See

Find out, learn, or determine with certainty, usually by making an inquiry or other effort;
I want to see whether she speaks French
See whether it works
Find out if he speaks Russian
Check whether the train leaves on time

See

Come together;
I'll probably see you at the meeting
How nice to see you again!

See

Be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something;
He verified that the valves were closed
See that the curtains are closed
Control the quality of the product

See

Go to see for professional or business reasons;
You should see a lawyer
We had to see a psychiatrist

See

Go to see for a social visit;
I went to see my friend Mary the other day

See

Visit a place, as for entertainment;
We went to see the Eiffel Tower in the morning

See

Take charge of or deal with;
Could you see about lunch?
I must attend to this matter
She took care of this business

See

Receive as a specified guest;
The doctor will see you now
The minister doesn't see anybody before noon

See

Date regularly; have a steady relationship with;
Did you know that she is seeing an older man?
He is dating his former wife again!

See

See and understand, have a good eye;
The artist must first learn to see

See

Deliberate or decide;
See whether you can come tomorrow
Let's see--which movie should we see tonight?

See

Observe as if with an eye;
The camera saw the burglary and recorded it

See

Observe, check out, and look over carefully or inspect;
The customs agent examined the baggage
I must see your passport before you can enter the country

See

Go or live through;
We had many trials to go through
He saw action in Viet Nam

See

Accompany or escort;
I'll see you to the door

See

Match or meet;
I saw the bet of one of my fellow players

See

Make sense of; assign a meaning to;
What message do you see in this letter?
How do you interpret his behavior?

See

Compare (used in texts to point the reader to another location in the text)

Common Curiosities

How does "seeing" function as a gerund?

As a gerund, "seeing" acts as a noun, referring to the act or process of perceiving, as in "Seeing is part of the sensory experience."

Is "seeing" always related to vision?

Not exclusively; "seeing" can also relate to understanding, experiencing, or engaging in an activity.

Is "seeing" in "seeing someone" always romantic?

While it often implies a romantic context, it can also refer to regular meetings or engagements that are not romantic.

How do "see" and "seeing" interact with other senses in language?

They can be used metaphorically to represent other forms of perception and understanding, broadening their application beyond visual sight.

Can "see" and "seeing" be used interchangeably?

They are not directly interchangeable as they serve different grammatical functions and contexts, though they are related in meaning.

How does context affect the meaning of "see" and "seeing"?

Context can significantly alter their meanings, with "see" ranging from physical sight to comprehension, and "seeing" indicating ongoing processes or experiences.

Are there cultural differences in the usage of "see" and "seeing"?

Yes, idiomatic expressions and colloquial uses can vary, reflecting cultural nuances in the perception and expression of these concepts.

Can "seeing" imply future intentions like "see"?

"Seeing" typically focuses on current or ongoing actions, so it's less commonly used for future intentions compared to "see."

Can "see" imply a future action without modal verbs?

Yes, in some contexts, "see" can imply future actions, especially in informal speech, as in "I see him tomorrow."

How do "see" and "seeing" contribute to language nuances?

They add depth by distinguishing between instantaneous or habitual actions ("see") and ongoing or immersive experiences ("seeing").

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Fiza Rafique
Fiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat

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