I remember observing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I remember observing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when recalling a past experience or event that you witnessed or noticed. Example: "I remember observing the way the sun set over the mountains during our trip last summer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I remember observing the change in student singers while at the Royal Academy.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

I still remember observing with wonder, as a kid, when my parents poured it from the paper carton into very small glasses, theirs enhanced with a splash of rum.

The New Yorker

So remember observe people very patiently.

WikiHow

Remember, observe what she's doing so it's relevant, use portal words to talk about different things and then go for the number.

WikiHow

I remember curiously observing my non-Chabad peers who seemed oblivious to the existential urgency we little people carried on our small shoulders.

Huffington Post

As the novelist Maggie O'Farrell observed: "I remember feeling frustrated when everyone fell over Zadie Smith.

The Guardian

Sometimes we're held back by online horror stories, but in Singapore I remember being shocked to observe a teacher, one Saturday, answer his mobile phone to a pupil regarding maths homework.

The Guardian

I remember baseball players in Japan observing moments of silence".

The New York Times

I remember standing outside of this, observing some children wriggle through a colorful nylon caterpillar tunnel.

The New York Times - Books

I told the doctor that she was going to be fine, and that he had to believe me, and I remember his stricken eyes helplessly observing me, in my dirty, sweaty T-shirt and bathing suit.

The New Yorker

"I remember in the 1990s we observed a very interesting phenomenon: criminal gangs were handing out opium and heroin for free," he said.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I remember observing" to introduce a personal recollection of an event or phenomenon, emphasizing your role as a witness or observer. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "I remember to observe" when you mean to express a past observation. "I remember observing" indicates that you are recalling a past event, while "I remember to observe" implies a future action that you are reminding yourself to do.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I remember observing" functions as a declarative statement expressing a recollection of a past sensory experience. It combines a subject ("I"), a verb ("remember"), and a gerund phrase ("observing") to convey a specific memory. Ludwig AI states that this usage is considered correct and understandable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

30%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

8%

Encyclopedias

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I remember observing" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate a recollection of a past observation. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English and its function is to share personal memories or observations. It is most commonly found in news and media, as well as scientific texts, maintaining a neutral register. When using this phrase, avoid confusion with similar-sounding phrases like "I remember to observe", and focus on expressing a memory of witnessing something in the past.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I recall observing

Replaces "remember" with "recall", maintaining a similar level of formality and meaning.

I recollect observing

Substitutes "remember" with "recollect", implying a slightly more deliberate act of recalling.

I have a memory of observing

Rephrases the sentence to focus on the memory itself, rather than the act of remembering.

I retain the observation of

Uses more formal language, shifting the focus to the retention of the observation.

I can still picture observing

Emphasizes the visual aspect of the memory, suggesting a vivid mental image.

I distinctly remember seeing

Adds emphasis to the clarity and certainty of the memory.

I recall witnessing

Replaces "observing" with "witnessing", highlighting the role of an observer to a particular event.

My memory includes observing

Presents the observation as part of a broader memory.

I remember watching

Uses "watching" instead of "observing", suggesting a more passive form of observation.

I now remember observing

Adds a sense of sudden realization to the act of remembering.

FAQs

How can I use "I remember observing" in a sentence?

Use "I remember observing" to describe a past event you witnessed or noticed. For example, "I remember observing the sunset over the ocean during our vacation last summer."

What's a more formal way to say "I remember observing"?

A more formal alternative is "I recall observing". This substitution maintains a similar meaning but elevates the tone.

Is "I remember observing" grammatically correct?

Yes, "I remember observing" is grammatically sound. The verb "remember" correctly takes a gerund (observing) as its object.

What's the difference between "I remember observing" and "I remember to observe"?

"I remember observing" refers to a past event that you recall, while "I remember to observe" is a reminder to perform an action in the future. For instance, "I remember observing the birds" versus "I remember to observe the birds tomorrow".