The man who looked out the window vs The man who was looking out the window

Both phrases are correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. 'The man who looked out the window' implies that the man looked out the window at a specific point in the past, while 'the man who was looking out the window' suggests that the man was in the process of looking out the window at a specific time in the past.

Last updated: March 27, 2024 • 990 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"The man who looked out the window"

This phrase is used to describe a man who looked out the window at a specific point in the past.

Examples:

The man who looked out the window saw a beautiful sunset.
I saw the man who looked out the window yesterday.

Show examples from the web [+]

But when she looked out the windows...
But the man who looked like Locke finally reached his destination.
Linus Larrabee, the man who doesn't burn, scorch or melt, throws a $20-million deal out the window.
I'm the man who looked the Russians in the eye, and convinced them to get rid of 5,000 nuclear warheads.
The man who looked familiar may have served on the Enterprise in the last seven years.
One day I looked out the window for four hours.
Then he looked out the window and saw a woman he described as Amanda.
That is the third time you've looked out the window.
Looked out the window and saw some guy walking away.
I looked out the windows and I saw a full half-circle of explosion.
My father got up in the morning and looked out the window.
After I heard the gunshot, I looked out the window.
Anyway, I looked out the window and saw...
I looked out the window to admire the view.
Just looked out the window, but he did waive his right to counsel.
Her little brother looked out the window and said he saw this crate.
I thought that Gretchen had gone to bed, so I went upstairs, and I looked out the window.
Thought you looked out the window more than anything
I looked out the window, and I could see that they were off a little bit in the distance.
By the time she looked out the window, all she could see were taillights speeding away.

Alternatives:

the man who glanced out the window
the man who peered out the window
the man who stared out the window
the man who gazed out the window
the man who observed out the window

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"The man who was looking out the window"

This phrase is used to describe a man who was in the process of looking out the window at a specific time in the past.

Examples:

The man who was looking out the window seemed lost in thought.
I remember the man who was looking out the window during the storm.

Show examples from the web [+]

It's an old man looking out a window, man.
I asked him who was looking out for us today.
I just wanted to check to see if someone picked him up, someone who was looking out for him.
I was looking out the window, down the road, and I saw a man in the distance - dark clothes, hat.
She was looking out the window and she started to cry.
I was looking for the man who was looking for me, you.
When I was looking out the window earlier, I could see details I never even knew existed.
She was looking out the window the whole time
I was looking out the window, and I noticed dust in the corner of each windowpane.
- I'm... I'm at home. I was looking out the window too.
(Theodore) I was sitting in my condo, just having a cup of coffee. I was looking out the window watching the ocean.
Righteous man who was looking for!
I was looking out the window, hoping to spot you!
I saw a dog, a white pickup truck and a man who was looking for something.
Anyways, the other night I was looking out the window of my house, and I caught her across the street in her window, staring right back at me.
HE SENT A TEXT TO HIS MUM, SHE WAS LOOKING OUT THE WINDOW AND THEY WAVED.
I was - I was looking out the window And he was fixing the seat in the back of the plane.
Linus Larrabee, the man who doesn't burn, scorch or melt, throws a $20-million deal out the window.
I thought you told me she was looking out of the window.
She was looking out of the window of the car.

Alternatives:

the man who had been looking out the window
the man who had looked out the window
the man who had been gazing out the window
the man who had been staring out the window
the man who had been observing out the window

How TextRanch works

Fast and reliable proofreading, editing, and language advice tailored to your needs.

1. Choose Your Service

Quick Text Editing

Emails and short texts
Proofreading & editing
Ready in 5-10 minutes

SUBMIT YOUR TEXT NOW

Document Editing

Documents of any type (*.docx)
Advanced & Premium editing
Ready in as little as 4 hours

UPLOAD YOUR DOCUMENT

Ask an Editor

Personalized answers to your language questions
Expert guidance on grammar, style, and usage
Ready in 24 hours

ASK YOUR QUESTION

Upload your document or paste your text directly into our platform. Your text is reviewed and refined by our expert editors (real people, not machines) who understand the nuances of English. Expect corrections, improvements, and insightful suggestions that enhance the clarity, tone, and professionalism of your writing.

3. Receive Your Polished Text

In just a few minutes (or hours for longer documents), you'll receive your corrected text. Review the changes, make any final adjustments, and confidently share your polished English with the world.
You can count on a personalized, friendly service every time you use TextRanch. We're committed to helping you make a great impression with every word you write.

We proofread and edit these types of texts and documents:

Short texts Business Emails Personal Emails Social media posts Resume and Curriculum Vitae Business documents Sales proposal Research and academic papers Thesis Dissertation Essays Articles Blog posts and much more....

Our Customers Love Us!

We have an average rating of 4.79 stars based on 283125 votes, and

4.9 Excellent - Reviews 2.137

"7 years without any disappointment. Always 100% satisfied. You guys are the best in the world at what you do. Thank you so much :)"

Zubair
from Bangladesh

"I wasn't aware of this service, it's fascinating and more reliable than standard IA tools available on the internet"

Arturo
from Mexico

"In a world of text messages and online communication, this is great to have as a live tool. Thank you."

Selena
from USA

"Wow, it's just so excellent. I never would have believed I could have a sure and excellent English companion. Thanks, TextRanch."

Ifiok
from Nigeria

"This is my first time using TextRanch, and I like how the editors take time to correct my text. To everyone who has never used TextRanch before, I highly recommend trying it."

Wilson
from France

"It is an amazing source of feedback because, as a non-native speaker, I really need to have a reliable helper correct my text."

Susan
from Germany

The man who looked out the window vs The man who was looking out the window