Meaning of "see in"

[Stone]

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #86 "Common English Errors (2)", question 10

It's difficult to understand what she ......... in her job — it seems very boring.

(a) distinguishes in
(b) looks in
(c) observes in
(d) sees in

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #86 "Common English Errors (2)", answer 10

It's difficult to understand what she sees in in her job — it seems very boring.

Correct answer: (d) sees in

Your answer was: incorrect
It's difficult to understand what she observes in in her job — it seems very boring.
_________________________

Would you please explain the meaning of "see in" ?

Thanks a lot in advanced

Stone

[Linda]

Hello,
'Sees in' refers to what someone likes about something and/or what they are drawn to - maybe this thing they like is interesting or attractive to them. In this case, the speaker is saying she doesn't understand what another woman 'sees in' her job because it's very boring.

So, the speaker is confused about what another person finds interesting or pleasing - what she 'sees in' her job. The speaker does not find that same job interesting or pleasing.

'Observes in' is not the right answer because observes is usually used in more serious contexts as well as 'observes' is simply stating what a person literally sees - kind of like stating the obvious. "Observes' does not refer to an opinion at all.

I hope that helps.
Linda

---------------------------
One Way of Learning English Grammar
Learn English with Linda Arlia
_________________
One Way of Learning English Grammar
Learn English with Linda Arlia

[Marko]

Is it right to say "She sees in in her job" or "She sees in her job" ?
Thank you in advance.

[Linda]

Hi Marko,
Yes, your latter answer is right - "sees in her job."
There is a typing mistake in this question.
_________________
One Way of Learning English Grammar
Learn English with Linda Arlia

[Linda]

Hi Marko,
Thanks for letting us know about the error. The question has been fixed already.
Take care.
_________________
One Way of Learning English Grammar
Learn English with Linda Arlia

[Vinod.gandhi]

Linda ,

Could you please let me know the problem with option "looks in" in this example.

Thanks ,

[Linda]

Hi Stone,
In this sentence, the meaning refers to the good characteristics/value of her job. For example, "It's difficult (for me) to understand what she "sees in" her job. This means I don't understand what she finds appealing in her job. However, she obviously finds something appealing/good/valuable because she still works there.
'Looks in' doesn't make any sense here.
You can peer/look into a bucket to see what's inside (example).
{I'm going to 'look into' this matter further} is another example of using 'look into' as a phrasal verb.
_________________
One Way of Learning English Grammar
Learn English with Linda Arlia

[Vinod.gandhi]

Hey

Thanks a lot. It really helped me to understand.

Regards ,
Vinod Gandhi

[Linda]

I'm glad it helped. Take care, Vinod.
_________________
One Way of Learning English Grammar
Learn English with Linda Arlia