4

Between the following two phrases:

  • "Look here"
  • "Look at here"

which one is correct?

Is it advisable to use "at" in this case?

Improve this question
  • "At" is a preposition, and is nearly always followed by a noun phrase. As Robusto helpfully points out, there are occasional cases where "here" functions as a noun phrase, but as a rule it does not, so "at" cannot precede it. – Colin Fine Feb 9 '11 at 15:07
  • "Lookee here" is what may be being said when you think you hear "look at here". – Hot Licks Jan 16 '20 at 13:55
  • You can’t be serious! – David Jan 16 '20 at 20:58
10

"Look here" is correct. I would never use "Look at here" all by itself, but in sentences such as "There's not much to look at here" or "There are many things to look at here" it is certainly grammatical. Also, it is perfectly grammatical to say "Look at this".

Improve this answer
  • +1: But you left out cases like "Consider adverbs of place: specifically, look at here." (And, yes, I'm just messing with you.) – Robusto Feb 9 '11 at 13:48
  • @RegDwigнt♦ Can it be said without "at"? "Let's have a look (at) the way those sentences have structured." – Boyep Feb 5 '20 at 14:55
2

It is incorrect to use at in this case. You could say any of the following in the imperative sense:

  • Look here
  • Look at this
  • Look at this place
Improve this answer
  • What about "look over here." – Kumar sadhu Mar 22 '19 at 1:34
2

"Look at here!" isn't certainly correct.

Improve this answer
  • 3
    "certainly isn't" is not the same as "isn't certainly". The former says "I am certain this isn't correct" while the latter says "I'm not sure, it may be correct, or it might not be". – Jürgen A. Erhard Feb 9 '11 at 12:54
  • You guys are just awesome.. (Please don't comment that "just awesome" is not same as "awesome").. – EmptyStack Feb 10 '11 at 3:44
-3

"Look over here" also works. "Look here" can also mean "See here, Mr. Smith..." which has a tone of command.

Improve this answer

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.