Gazing vs. staring

[Garmasch]

Synonyms Lesson, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #123 "Synonyms for see and watch", question 1

The tourists stood there ......... at the lovely scenery. One could see the admiration in their eyes.

(a) peering
(b) gazing
(c) staring
(d) seeing

Synonyms Lesson, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #123 "Synonyms for see and watch", answer 1

The tourists stood there gazing at the lovely scenery. One could see the admiration in their eyes.

Correct answer: (b) gazing

Your answer was: incorrect
The tourists stood there staring at the lovely scenery. One could see the admiration in their eyes.
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why. gazing vs. starting

Garmasch

[Jan]

gazing :
to look long an steadily at someone or something,
a long steady look

starting is not the same as staring

staring : to lookat for a long time,
a long fixed look

I understand you may glaze and if you spot something there
( girl )
you start to stare at her

[Alan]

Hi,

I think we need to make it clear which two verbs we are talking about. They are STARE and GAZE.

Stare has the idea of looking at an object in a fixed manner suggesting there is a sense of curiosity/great interest. People stare at someone in the street if they look very unsual or are doing something very unusual.

Gaze also means look at but has the sense of wonder or admiration.

If you see something spectacular in nature such as wonderful scenery, you gaze at it - you look at it for a long time because you are admiring it.

Alan
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