watch a trailer

Meaning

This phrase means to view a short promotional video for a movie, TV show, or video game before it is officially released. It is commonly used when deciding what to watch next at the cinema or on streaming platforms. The tone is completely neutral and standard for daily conversations.

Examples

• I always watch a trailer before deciding to buy a cinema ticket.

  I always watch a trailer before deciding to buy a cinema ticket.

• Did you watch the trailer for the new sci-fi movie yet?

  Did you watch the trailer for the new sci-fi movie yet?

• We sat through twenty minutes of commercials just to watch a trailer.

  We sat through twenty minutes of commercials just to watch a trailer.

• After I watch a trailer, I usually know if I'll like the film.

  After I watch a trailer, I usually know if I'll like the film.

• She loves to watch a trailer online as soon as it gets released.

  She loves to watch a trailer online as soon as it gets released.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I want to look a trailer of the new film.

  ✓ I want to watch a trailer for the new film.

  We use the verb 'watch' for videos and movies, not 'look'. Also, the preposition after trailer is usually 'for', not 'of'.

• ✗ We watched a movie preview video yesterday.

  ✓ We watched a trailer yesterday.

  While 'movie preview video' is understandable, native speakers almost always use the specific word 'trailer' in casual conversation.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Before buying tickets, I always like to ___ online to see if the movie looks good.

  💡 View a short video preview of the movie.

  Show answer

  watch a trailer

• If you want to know what the story is about without spoilers, you should ___.

  💡 Look at the promotional video.

  Show answer

  watch a trailer