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See

See means perceive with one's eye. It can also mean understand. With these meanings it is not used in the progressive form.

  • I can see a ship.
  • I see (NOT am seeing) from his letters that he has worked here before.
  • ‘We have got a problem.’ ‘I see. ’ (NOT I am seeing.)
see: progressive forms

When see means ‘meet’, ‘interview’, ‘talk to’ or ‘go out with’, progressive forms are possible.

  • He is seeing a German girl at the moment.
  • I am seeing the doctor tomorrow.

See can also be used in the progressive when we mean that somebody is imagining things that are not there.

  • ‘Look! There is a camel!’ ‘You are seeing things.’
Other uses

The expression I will see means I will consider the matter. Let me see means give me time to think or recall. Note that a preposition is necessary before the object in these cases.

  • We will see about that soon.

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