are under observation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are under observation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where individuals, objects, or situations are being monitored or watched closely for a specific purpose. Example: "The patients in the hospital are under observation to ensure their recovery progresses as expected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Five school-age children were pulled from classes and are under observation.

The Guardian

The Americans have been working closely with Uzbek police agencies to share intelligence and to ensure that approaches to the base are under observation and armed guard.

The New York Times

Last week, a nurse in Spain became the first known person to contract Ebola while in Europe and 16 people are under observation at a Madrid hospital.

Independent

Mam and Dad are under observation by non-interventionist onlookers investigating the daily lives of people in this last street of its kind (ostensibly "from the council", they are actually scouting for specimens to inhabit a new "heritage" museum).

The Guardian

In all, more than 50 people in Spain are under observation.

BBC

Similarly certain substances are under observation for future regulation in the frame of the EU regulation on Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH).

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

The 'Hawthorne' effect is when observed participants change their behaviour due to being under observation.

BMJ Open

The Sharks announced he was under observation.

The Guardian - Sport

Washington safety Curtis Williams was under observation at Stanford Hospital.

The New York Times - Sports

Then Asta Nielsen suddenly remembers she is under observation.

The Guardian - Film

Another suspected case is under observation in Luis Razetti.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are under observation", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is doing the observing. For example, specify "patients are under observation by medical staff" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "are under observation" without specifying the observer or the purpose of the observation. This can lead to ambiguity and confusion for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are under observation" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state of a subject (people, objects, etc.) as being monitored or watched. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are under observation" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that someone or something is being monitored. As Ludwig AI pointed out, this phrase is appropriate for many contexts, particularly within news, scientific, and formal settings. When writing, ensure clarity by specifying who is doing the observing and the reason for the observation. While various alternatives exist, such as "are being monitored" or "are being watched", the best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are being monitored

Focuses on the act of monitoring without specifying the means.

are being watched

A more general term for being observed, without necessarily implying scrutiny.

are being scrutinized

Implies a more critical and detailed observation.

are under scrutiny

Similar to "are being scrutinized", but slightly more concise.

are being kept under surveillance

Suggests a more covert or security-oriented form of observation.

are under close inspection

Highlights the thoroughness of the observation.

are subject to monitoring

A more formal way of saying something is being observed.

are kept under review

Emphasizes the ongoing assessment and evaluation aspect.

are subject to assessment

Focuses on evaluating or judging something while observing.

are clinically monitored

Specifically refers to medical or clinical observation.

FAQs

How can I use "are under observation" in a sentence?

You can use "are under observation" to describe people, objects or situations that are being watched closely. For example: "The patients "are under observation" by the nurses" or "The experiment results "are under observation" by the research team".

What phrases can I use instead of "are under observation"?

Alternatives include "are being monitored", "are being watched", or "are being scrutinized". The best option depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "is under observation" instead of "are under observation"?

The correctness depends on the subject. Use "is" for singular subjects (e.g., "The patient "is under observation"") and "are" for plural subjects (e.g., "The patients "are under observation"").

What does it mean when someone says "they are under observation"?

It means that the person or group is being watched closely, usually for a specific reason, such as monitoring their health, behavior, or performance. The purpose and intensity of the observation can vary depending on the context.