difference between look at and take a look at

What is the difference between "look at" and "take a look at"?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Well, it's analogous to the difference between "dump" and "take a dump". }:-D > (emoticon for a devilish grin)

Seriously, though, "look at" does not focus on the time or effort required for the look, but "take a look at" would give some slight emphasis on the time or effort involved in the looking. However, the construction "take a look at" is perhaps less formal, and should perhaps be avoided in your doctoral thesis.

Source(s):

My own personal observations of common useage. Nothing more.

Other Answer

hey mean the same thing, basically
although it seems that "take a look at "
implies a bit of a closer inspection,

Other Answer

They mean more or less the same.

You might say "look at that girl over there" but "take a look at this book" - using "take a look" when referring to something closer, and which you want the person to examine more carefully.