as he observes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as he observes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone is watching or noticing something happening in real-time or as part of a narrative. Example: "The scientist took notes as he observes the behavior of the animals in their natural habitat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

As he observes: "Queer.

The New York Times - Books

His role is that of a voyeur as he observes the different society queens.

The New Yorker

As he observes, Orwell, Lee – and thousands of others – fought in defence of Spain's legitimate government.

The Guardian

First, as he observes, the competitive nature of sports magnifies even the tiniest physical differences.

The New York Times - Books

As he observes, "The Sierra Leone people have shown themselves to be amazingly forgiving".

The Guardian

Fox's eyes are hollowed out as he observes the world passing by from a distance.

The Guardian - Film

It's impossible to know whether she was aware of the photographer as he observes her private tragedy.

The Guardian - Books

Everything Greg touches goes unstoppably awry as he observes and diarises it in a state of perennial, startled horror.

The Guardian - Books

As he observes in Act II, this is "a magic show and a liberal arts education rolled into one".

The New York Times

As he observes, herbivorous insects usually have good vision in the blue part of the spectrum, but most lack a red receptor, so they cannot see red leaves.

The Economist

As he observes, once Garry Kasparov had been defeated by Deep Blue, the significance of beating the best human chess player suddenly seemed less important.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as he observes" to introduce an observation or insight made by a character or figure, lending a sense of immediacy and personal perspective to the narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "as he observes" when the subject is not actively watching or noticing something. This phrase implies a deliberate act of observation, not a passive state.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as he observes" functions as a subordinating conjunction, introducing a clause that provides context or explanation related to the main clause. It indicates that an action or observation is happening concurrently. Ludwig AI examples show it linking a character's observation to a subsequent action or realization.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as he observes" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a character's observation or insight within a narrative. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently found in news, science, and encyclopedic sources. Its neutral to slightly formal register makes it suitable for various writing contexts. Consider using alternatives like "as he watches" or "as he notes" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Ludwig AI examples confirm its function in linking a character's observation to a subsequent action or realization.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as he watches

Replaces "observes" with a more common synonym, slightly less formal.

while he observes

Emphasizes simultaneity; "while" changes the sentence structure.

as he notes

Shifts focus to recording or mentioning, rather than just watching.

as he perceives

Highlights the act of understanding or interpreting what is seen.

as he discerns

Implies a more careful or insightful observation.

as he remarks

Indicates that an observation is being verbally expressed.

in his observation

Changes the structure to a prepositional phrase, more formal.

from his perspective

Focuses on the viewpoint and interpretation of the observer.

considering his view

Emphasizes the individual's opinion and judgment.

according to his outlook

Highlights a personal and subjective understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "as he observes" in a sentence?

Use "as he observes" to introduce a character's observation or realization within a narrative. For example, "As he observes the crowd, he notices a pattern emerging."

What phrases are similar to "as he observes"?

Alternatives include "as he watches", "as he notes", or "from his perspective", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "as he observes" formal or informal?

"As he observes" is suitable for neutral to slightly formal contexts. It appears frequently in news, media, and academic writing.

What's the difference between "as he observes" and "as he sees"?

"As he observes" implies a more deliberate and thoughtful act of noticing, while "as he sees" suggests a more general perception or viewpoint.