a critical observation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a critical observation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an important or significant remark or analysis regarding a particular subject or situation. Example: "After reviewing the data, she made a critical observation about the trends that could impact future decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Perhaps because, in a critical observation that Ms. Truss cites, it symbolizes "the analogical leaps and flashes of advanced cognition".

The New York Times - Books

On Wednesday, the first-base coach Mick Kelleher passed on a critical observation to Lyle Overbay, the runner at first base, that helped the Yankees score the winning run.

The New York Times - Sports

A critical observation indicates that the system is still in its research phase and proper feasibility studies have yet to be undertaken.

Urban Rail Transit

This was a critical observation because an anteriorly positioned foramen magnum suggests that the vertebral column was vertically oriented and positioned directly beneath the skull, as in humans.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

This becomes a critical observation for high-field applications, as the superconducting magnet design freedom is restricted by inherent peak field limits on superconductors.

Annual Reports on NMR Spectroscopy

Spectrally resolved thermal radiances measured from orbit with an accuracy in brightness temperature of 100 mK constitute a critical observation for climate monitoring.

Journal of Quantitative Spectroscopy and Radiative Transfer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

A most critical observation is the detection of the unstable element technetium in the S-type stars.

Encyclopedia Britannica

If his formal inventions – the jarring succession of bluntly spliced juxtapositions, the epic chronological elisions and leaps, the probing of the social basis of character – invite us to adopt a stance of critical observation, his choices of time, place and circumstance force us out of judgment and into empathy.

The Guardian

This is a challenging thesis, presented with a masterly array of sources across a busy century, at once thought-provoking and thoroughly informed; the prose is fluent and zestful, and the arguments are constructed with a fine level of critical observation.

The Guardian - Books

Such a mode of diversification can be inferred from phylogenetic relationships and host distributions of extant parasite species, the critical observation being a fully sympatric community of reproductively isolated sister parasite lineages within a geographically unstructured host species [8], [9].

Plosone

This critical observation begs a question whether the mitogenic property of short human ALR could be exploited as a therapy necessitating liver regeneration in pathological conditions.

Fibrogenesis and Tissue Repair

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a critical observation", ensure that the observation is genuinely important to the discussion and not just a trivial remark. Use it to introduce key insights or turning points in your analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "critical" as a generic intensifier. Ensure that the observation truly warrants the label 'critical' by significantly impacting the topic at hand. If it doesn't, consider using a less emphatic adjective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a critical observation" functions as a noun phrase, where "critical" modifies the noun "observation". It typically introduces a key insight or important point in an argument or analysis. Ludwig's examples showcase this usage across varied domains.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

65%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a critical observation" is a commonly used phrase, particularly in scientific and news contexts, to highlight an important insight or key finding. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted. When employing the phrase, ensure that the observation is genuinely important and that "critical" is used with substantive meaning. Alternatives like "an important insight" or "a key finding" can be used depending on the desired nuance. The phrase typically maintains a neutral to formal register, fitting well within academic and professional writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an important insight

Emphasizes the significance of the observation as a key understanding.

a key finding

Highlights the observation as a crucial discovery or result.

a significant assessment

Focuses on the importance of the evaluation or judgment made.

a notable point

Draws attention to the observation as a remarkable or worthy item.

a crucial realization

Emphasizes the element of understanding or becoming aware of something important.

an essential deduction

Highlights the observation as a necessary conclusion or inference.

a vital perception

Focuses on the observation as a necessary way of understanding or interpreting something.

a major conclusion

Stresses the observation as a primary or significant outcome.

a fundamental insight

Highlights the observation as a basic or essential understanding.

a decisive interpretation

Emphasizes the observation as a resolution or clear way of explaining something.

FAQs

What does "a critical observation" mean?

The phrase "a critical observation" refers to an observation that is essential, important, or vital to understanding a situation or argument. It signifies that the observation plays a key role in analysis or decision-making.

How can I use "a critical observation" in a sentence?

You can use "a critical observation" to introduce an important point or insight. For example: "A critical observation is that the data shows a clear correlation between the two variables."

What are some alternatives to "a critical observation"?

Alternatives include phrases like "an important insight", "a key finding", or "a significant assessment". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "a critical observation" and "a crucial observation"?

While both phrases convey importance, "critical" often implies a judgmental or analytical aspect, whereas "crucial" emphasizes the essential nature of the observation. "A crucial observation" suggests the observation is necessary for success or understanding, whereas "a critical observation" suggests it is vital for proper evaluation.