Understanding Phrasal Verbs with 'Look'

The question asks us to select the most appropriate word to fill in the blank in the sentence: "We can look _________ the word in the dictionary." This sentence requires understanding of phrasal verbs, which are combinations of a verb and a preposition or adverb (or both) that form a new meaning.

Analyzing the Options for 'Look'

Let's examine each option to determine which one forms a correct and contextually appropriate phrasal verb:

• Look for: This phrasal verb means to search for something. For example, "I am looking for my keys." While a dictionary is used for searching, "look for the word in the dictionary" implies searching for the dictionary itself, or a general search, not specifically finding the definition of a word.
• Look up: This phrasal verb specifically means to find information in a book, list, or reference source, such as a dictionary, encyclopedia, or phone book. When you "look up a word in the dictionary," you are searching for its meaning or spelling. This perfectly fits the context of the given sentence.
• Look on: This phrasal verb can mean to observe or to consider in a particular way. For example, "They looked on as the parade passed." Or, "She looks on him as a mentor." Neither meaning is appropriate for finding a word in a dictionary.
• Look over: This phrasal verb means to examine something quickly, usually to check for errors or to get a general idea. For example, "I need to look over my notes before the exam." This does not fit the action of finding a specific word's meaning in a dictionary.

Correct Phrasal Verb: 'Look Up'

Based on the analysis, the phrasal verb "look up" is the most appropriate choice for the sentence. When we use a dictionary to find the meaning, spelling, or usage of a word, we "look up" that word. This is a common and specific usage in English.

Therefore, the complete sentence becomes: "We can look up the word in the dictionary."