a formal observation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a formal observation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where a structured or official assessment or review is being conducted, often in educational or professional settings. Example: "The teacher conducted a formal observation of the classroom to evaluate the effectiveness of the new teaching methods."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Henry got out his stopwatch to conduct a formal observation of Moja, who is darker and a bit smaller than his father.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The main researcher undertaking the ethnographic observation (MP) was naïve concerning the environments in which she was working, although there was a period of familiarization before formal observation began.

BMC Geriatrics

The obvious approach would have been to offer a conceptual explication of the images — a set of formal observations linked to a consideration of their thematic resonances — or to attempt to stitch them into some kind of narrative.

The New Yorker

The group said in a statement on Monday it was ending its formal observation work now that the result had been declared.

The Guardian

Formal observation, for example, which plays a key role, is required only once during an evaluation year.

Los Angeles Times

For example, here in Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Teachers Association released a study showing that almost 30% of teachers in their first three years of teaching had had no formal observation at all, even for a period of time as short as 20 minutes.

Huffington Post

The presence of these genes in AMF is a previously unsuspected and highly intriguing finding, which suggests the presence of a "hidden" sexual (or parasexual) reproduction that awaits formal observation in these poorly studied fungi.

Communicative and Integrative Biology

We were able to carry out some formal observation of the instructors'adherence to a list of topics covered by the curriculum and found 100% adherence for most of the instructors, but one had only 81% adherence.

BMC Psychiatry

Fewer respondents acknowledged receipt of feedback from informal observation of their teaching or formal observation of their teaching in the last three years, although a majority of trainers agreed or were neutral that feedback on their teaching from peers was useful, with very few disagreeing.

BMC Medical Education

We sought to evaluate the effects of formal observation training in the visual arts on the general and ophthalmologic observational skills of medical students.

Ophthalmology

There is a wide range of initial training courses on offer in the UK, from the respected Trinity CertTesol and Cambridge Esol Celta qualifications to short online or weekend courses, many of which do not include formal observation of teaching skills.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a formal observation", specify the context in which the observation takes place to provide clarity and avoid ambiguity. For example, "a formal observation of teaching practices" or "a formal observation of patient behavior".

Common error

Avoid using "a formal observation" without providing sufficient context. Readers may not understand the purpose or scope of the observation if it is not clearly defined.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a formal observation" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes a structured and methodical process of gathering data or assessing performance, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a formal observation" denotes a structured and methodical assessment process, often used in academic, scientific, and professional environments. Although Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, the phrase is relatively rare. To enhance clarity, specifying the context of the observation is crucial. Consider alternatives like "a structured assessment" or "an official review" to vary your language. By understanding its function, purpose, and typical usage, you can effectively incorporate "a formal observation" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a structured assessment

Replaces "observation" with a more evaluative term, emphasizing the structured nature of the process.

an official review

Focuses on the authoritative and sanctioned nature of the observation.

a systematic examination

Highlights the methodical and thorough approach to the observation.

a detailed inspection

Emphasizes the level of scrutiny and attention to detail involved.

a rigorous analysis

Suggests a more in-depth and critical evaluation of the observed data.

a planned evaluation

Focuses on the premeditated and structured aspect of the evaluation process.

a controlled experiment

Implies a scientific setting where variables are manipulated and observed.

a methodical study

Emphasizes the organized and systematic nature of the investigation.

a standardized observation

Highlights the adherence to a specific protocol or set of criteria.

a clinical assessment

Specifies the context as being related to healthcare and medical evaluation.

FAQs

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

You can use "a formal observation" to describe a structured assessment in various contexts. For example, "The teacher conducted "a formal observation" to evaluate the student's progress" or "The researcher used "a formal observation" to gather data for the study."

What are some alternatives to "a formal observation"?

You can use alternatives like "a structured assessment", "an official review", or "a systematic examination", depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "a formal observation" and "an informal observation"?

"A formal observation" implies a structured, planned, and often documented assessment, while "an informal observation" is more casual and spontaneous, typically without a strict protocol or recording process.

In what contexts is "a formal observation" commonly used?

"A formal observation" is frequently used in educational settings to evaluate teaching, in scientific research to collect data, and in professional environments to assess employee performance.