To see the city

[Rachel Adams]

Hello.

What expressions or verbs do native speakers use in a sentence like mine 'I went out to see the city its cobbled streets and architecture.' Does 'to do sights' and 'do the sightseeing' work here?

 

[emsr2d2]

We don't "do the sightseeing". We "go sightseeing". You might hear someone say "I'm going out today to do all the sights ..." but "do the sights" isn't a set phrase.

 

[Rachel Adams]

We don't "do the sightseeing". We "go sightseeing". You might hear someone say "I'm going out today to do all the sights ..." but "do the sights" isn't a set phrase.

Thank you but what do you mean by saying it is not a set phrase? If I said 'I am going out to do sights' or 'to do the sights' would my sentence be correct?

 

[GoesStation]

Thank you but what do you mean by saying it is not a set phrase? If I said 'I am going out to do sights' or 'to do the sights' would my sentence be correct?

I'm pretty sure the definite article is required in the British English expression do the sights. We see the sights In American English.

 

[emsr2d2]

The article is required in "do the sights". What I meant by "not a set phrase" is that although you might hear native speakers use it, it's not a fixed expression - you won't find "do the sights" in a dictionary or English usage list. By "do", a native speaker would, effectively, mean "look at" or "see". Some of the "sights" might be things you do more than look at - you might take a tour or similar.

 

[tedmc]

I went out to see the city[STRIKE] its [/STRIKE]'s cobbled streets and architecture.'

The sentence is not correct as it stands as there is no link "the street" and the phrase that follows.