They observed that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "They observed that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when introducing a statement or finding that someone has noticed or recognized in a particular context, often in academic or formal writing. Example: "They observed that the new teaching method significantly improved student engagement in the classroom."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They observed that the brightness of the beacon varied about 10percentt every 10 minutes.

The New York Times

They observed that all osteotomy gaps healed within 3 months.

Strategies in Trauma and Limb Reconstruction

They observed that addition of antioxidants greatly improved the stability.

International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering

They observed that different processing methods did not affect the DNA recovery.

Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences

They observed that roughness has a significant effect on durability of epoxy-Al joint.

Applied Adhesion Science

They observed that this modification significantly decreased both Vd/Vt (around 10%%) and PaCO2 (around 11%%).

Annals of Intensive Care

They observed that the cement resistance depends mainly on the curing environment.

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

They observed that the thermal conductivity reduced with increasing the size of nanoparticles.

Micro and Nano Systems Letters

They observed that the nanofluids can keep stable for 286 h when using SDS as dispersant.

Nanoscale Research Letters

They observed that the addition of the gold nanoparticles in NiO increased the sensor sensitivity significantly.

Journal of Theoretical and Applied Physics

They observed that short column was affected more during the earthquake.

International Journal of Advanced Structural Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "They observed that" to introduce objective findings or results from research or systematic observation. It adds a layer of formality and authority.

Common error

Avoid overly relying on passive constructions when describing observations. While "It was observed that..." is grammatically correct, active voice (e.g., "They observed...") often creates a more direct and engaging statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "They observed that" functions as a reporting clause, used to introduce a statement of fact based on observation or analysis. Ludwig shows its common usage in academic and scientific contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

79%

News & Media

17%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "They observed that" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to introduce findings or observations, primarily in scientific and news contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various domains. It serves to present objective findings, often in formal and scientific writing, and can be replaced with alternatives like "They noted that" or "They found that" to adjust the nuance or emphasis. While "It was observed that" is also correct, using the active voice is generally preferred for clarity. The high frequency and authoritative source base underscore its reliability for professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

They noted that

Replaces "observed" with a more general term for noticing something.

They found that

Emphasizes the result of an investigation or search.

They discovered that

Highlights the uncovering of something previously unknown.

They revealed that

Suggests the disclosure of information.

It was observed that

Uses a passive voice to de-emphasize the observer.

Their observation showed that

Transforms the statement into a noun-based construction.

According to their observations

Attributing a statement directly to observation.

They determined that

Emphasizes the process of reaching a conclusion.

They ascertained that

Highlights gaining knowledge with certainty.

They perceived that

Focuses on subjective understanding and noticing.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "They observed that"?

You can use alternatives like "They noted that", "They found that", or "They discovered that" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "It was observed that" instead of "They observed that"?

Yes, "It was observed that" is grammatically correct, but it uses a passive voice. Using "They observed that" often makes the sentence more direct and clearer about who made the observation.

In what contexts is "They observed that" most appropriate?

This phrase is particularly suitable for academic, scientific, and formal writing where objectivity and clear reporting of findings are important.

What's the difference between "They observed that" and "They noticed that"?

While both phrases indicate awareness, "They observed that" often implies a more deliberate and systematic form of attention, while "They noticed that" suggests a more casual or incidental awareness.