Formal French prefers other verbs for looking.
Formal and literary French reaches for contempler, observer or considérer where speech uses regarder. Each carries its own weight: contempler is aesthetic, observer is analytical, considérer is intellectual.
The concern sense survives in formal writing as en ce qui regarde — as regards — though en ce qui concerne is now far more usual. Recognise the older form when you meet it.
💡 Focus at this level: Literary & formal
1. Pick the right formal verb. Contempler, observer and considérer are not interchangeable.
2. « En ce qui concerne » in modern formal writing.
3. Recognise « il regarda ». Past historic, narrative only.
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