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Prepositions with nouns

Using prepositions with “look”

“Look” appears in many patterns. “Of look” is not a standard combination.

Quick answer

Which form is correct?

“To look” is natural when “look” is part of an infinitive verb form, such as “to look carefully.” “Of look” is not a standard English combination.

I want to look at the report.
She stopped to look outside.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
to look + verb phrase

Using the infinitive form

“To look” is the infinitive form of the verb “look.”

We need to look again.
2
look at + object

Directing your eyes or attention

Use “look at” for seeing or examining something.

Please look at this chart.
3
look for + object

Searching for something

Use “look for” when trying to find something.

They are looking for a taxi.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
to look
She paused to look at the map.
infinitive verb form
of look
The phrase “of look” is not standard English.
generally incorrect combination
look at
Look at the screen.
direct your attention toward something
look for
We are looking for new staff.
search for something

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using “of look” as a phrase

English does not normally combine “of” directly with “look” in this way.

✕ of look the design ✓ the look of the design

Confusing noun and verb uses

“Look” can be a noun or a verb.

✕ I like to the look ✓ I like the look

Missing a preposition after “look”

Some meanings require a preposition such as at or for.

✕ look the picture ✓ look at the picture

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. We stopped ___ at the stars.
2. Please ___ this document.
3. They are ___ a solution.

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Frequently asked questions

Is “of look” ever correct?

Not as a normal fixed phrase. English usually uses “the look of something” instead.

What does “to look” mean?

It is the infinitive form of the verb “look.”

Can “look” be a noun?

Yes. For example: “I like the look of this room.”

to, amount, in, amount, of, amount "to availability" or "of availability"? "to bed" or "in bed"? "to bit" or "by bit"? "to bottom" or "at bottom"? to, by, from, with or of ear? "to charity", "for charity" or "of charity"? "to coast" or "from coast"? "to cycle" or "of cycle"? "to deal" or "of deal"? "to debut" or "on debut"? "to editor" or "of editor"?

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