2007-05-04 21:00:29 · 26 answers · asked by Tamarind 4 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
'He looked out from the window' is better than either but I, personally, would use 'of' in normal speech.
2007-05-04 21:17:12 · answer #1 · answered by Frog Five 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Much depends on what you actually want to say. There is no dispute about the subject and object of the phrase. Where the problem lies is in the verb and preposition. If the verb is 'looked out' then then the preposition is 'of'. If the preposition is 'out of', it would probably be better to use 'through' (as has already been suggested).
Should we consider why we use 'out' and why it may qualify as a preposition in it's own right. It is a description of how someone observes when they are inside a room with a window. What then if some one is outside looking into the room? Do we say, 'He looked in of the window'?
Therefore, if you are talking about the direction of looking, then, 'He looked out the window' suffices. However, if you are telling about the manner of looking, then, 'He looked out of the window' maybe better. Much depends on how the sentence is concluded, and if you want to put the emphasis on what he saw, then perhaps 'He looked through the window' would be the best option.
2007-05-05 05:17:27 · answer #2 · answered by d00ney 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He looked out of the window.
2007-05-05 04:09:05 · answer #3 · answered by P T 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In today's, as always, evolving language, both phrases are acceptable to me.
I might argue that, these days, it would come down more to a sense of prose. But then again, perhaps it's if the phrase is followed by a descriptive view or thought...
Hmmm...
"He looked out the window and saw..." sounds better than "He looked out of the window and saw..."
Good question!
2007-05-05 04:16:51 · answer #4 · answered by JBrian 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He looked out THROUGH the window is better
But if stuck with your options
Then
He looked out of the window is better. :-)
2007-05-05 06:42:29 · answer #5 · answered by Rod Mac 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I always say "looked out" the window, since saying looked out itself makes 'of' an uneccessary addition to the sentence. Though i dont think "looked out of the window" is wrong in any way.
2007-05-05 04:10:15 · answer #6 · answered by Salazar 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The proper way is "He looked out the window." Remember that using a larger number of words does not always make the sentence correct nor does it make it more intelligent.
2007-05-06 18:00:19 · answer #7 · answered by Nancy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he look out the window
2007-05-05 06:09:26 · answer #8 · answered by abc 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Look out of the window is more appropriate to use.
2007-05-05 06:16:36 · answer #9 · answered by omolakaba 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He looked through the window is correct.
2007-05-05 04:19:17 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋