Look As A Copular Verb And An Ordinary Verb

• You look unhappy – what is the matter? (NOT You look unhappily.)

We can use a few noun phrases after look in the same way as adjectives.

• When she realized what she had done she looked a real fool.
• The room looks a mess.

Look can be followed by like or as if. Progressive forms are not usually used in this case.

• It looks like it is going to rain. (NOT It is looking like —)
• She looks like her mother. (NOT She is looking like —)
• She looks as if she is dreaming.

Look as an ordinary verb

When look means turn one’s eyes towards, it is used with adverbs, not adjectives.

• Look carefully. (NOT — careful.)

Before an object, a preposition is necessary (usually at). A preposition is not used when there is no object.

• Look at him. (NOT Look him.)
• They were looking at some books.
• Look carefully – it’s changing colour. (NOT Look at carefully —)

Look after and look for

Look after means take care of; look for means try to find.

Compare:

• Could you look after the kids while I go shopping?
• She spent months looking for her lost dog.