attentively watching

USAGE SUMMARY

"attentively watching" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to watch something with careful attention and focus. Example: The children sat quietly, attentively watching the magician perform his tricks.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The musicians sat attentively, watching the birds for their cue.

The New Yorker

The young men at the cafe were attentively watching through the glass this undoubtedly arousing scene.

The Guardian - Opinion

Standing on a riser and attentively watching the game from that ultimate vantage is an Iowa State student (Ph.D., mathematics) named Veen Sanyatit.

The New Yorker

Now, in the moments before they traveled to the stadium to prepare to take on the Longhorns, they were attentively watching college football on television.

The New York Times

The reason for the quick adoption of these cameras is simple: human beings are not good at attentively watching large amounts of video for very long.

Huffington Post

However, the volume of studies produced also indicates that the international community is attentively watching events unfolding in Iraq.

Conflict and Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

As he spoke in the sparse concrete room he was renting, his children attentively watched a movie depicting a past P.K.K. struggle against Turkey.

The New York Times

Thus, two prominent trial super-lawyers will face off against each other in what will probably be one of the most attentively watched trials in Wall Street history.

The New York Times

NEW ORLEANS - Having just attentively watched Kentucky Coach John Calipari's postgame news conference after his team's 90-60 blofout of Wake Forest on Saturday night, the Wildcats super fan Ashley Judd was already game-planning for the round of 16.

The New York Times

Even taking into account that gestures are easily (and too often) falsified, especially among young musicians, these players attentively watched for cues from Mr. Perlman and one another and seemed genuinely engaged in the give and take.

The New York Times - Arts

The audience attentively watched the sympathetic portrait of Mrs. Clinton as an aggressive advocate for children, a lawyer and, finally, a standard-issue suburban mother, notwithstanding where she has spent the last seven years of her life.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "attentively watching" when you want to emphasize both the act of watching and the level of focus or care involved. It is especially effective when describing situations where careful observation is crucial.

Common error

Avoid using "attentively watching" in excessively passive constructions where the subject performing the action is unclear or weakened. Ensure the sentence clearly identifies who is watching and what they are watching with attention to maintain clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attentively watching" functions as a verb phrase where "attentively" modifies the verb "watching", indicating the manner in which the action is performed. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable form in written English. The phrase indicates a focused and careful observation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Reference

5%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "attentively watching" is a grammatically sound and commonly understood phrase used to describe focused observation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English writing. Its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse contexts, from news reports to scientific studies. While alternatives like "observing closely" or "carefully observing" exist, "attentively watching" effectively conveys a sense of active engagement and concentrated focus during the act of watching. Keep in mind the suggested writing tips to strengthen your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

observing closely

Emphasizes the detail and accuracy of the observation.

carefully observing

Highlights the caution and thoroughness in the observation.

watching with interest

Focuses on the observer's engagement and curiosity.

observing with rapt attention

Suggests a high degree of focus and fascination.

keeping a close watch

Implies continuous and vigilant observation.

scrutinizing carefully

Highlights a detailed and critical examination.

following closely

Emphasizes tracking or monitoring something's progress.

viewing with concentration

Highlights the mental effort involved in watching.

monitoring diligently

Implies a consistent and thorough tracking process.

observing with focus

Highlights the concentrated nature of the observation.

FAQs

How can I use "attentively watching" in a sentence?

Use "attentively watching" to describe someone giving their full attention to observing something. For example: "The students were "attentively watching" the science demonstration."

What are some alternatives to "attentively watching"?

You can use alternatives such as "observing closely", "carefully observing", or "watching with interest" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "attentively watching" more formal than "watching closely"?

"Attentively watching" and "watching closely" are quite similar in formality. However, "attentively watching" might be perceived as slightly more formal because "attentively" is a more formal word than "closely". Both are suitable for most professional contexts.

What's the difference between "attentively watching" and "casually watching"?

"Attentively watching" implies a focused and careful observation, while "casually watching" suggests a more relaxed and less concentrated form of observation. The former is used when the observer is paying close attention, whereas the latter indicates a more passive engagement.