by observing for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by observing for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of monitoring or watching for specific behaviors, events, or outcomes. Example: "By observing for changes in behavior, researchers can gather valuable data on the effects of the treatment."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

An assessment of study heterogeneity was made by observing for population or interventional differences between the studies from the data extraction tables.

Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology

Hospitalized patients were screened for hemothorax by observing for a post-procedure drop in blood hemoglobin content of 2 g/dl or reaccumulation of their pleural effusion within 24 hours of the procedure.

Duke University

If that timing is unclear, monitor it by observing for when your child starts to slow down a little.

Huffington Post

After an additional 24 h, the sub-cellular localization was assessed by observing for cytosolic and nuclear presence of GFP-Foxp3ΔFKH by using a BioRad Radiance 2000 confocal microscope.

Plosone

Penicillium isolates (n = 148) collected through air sampling in London were tested by PCR using the four designed primer sets to ascertain primer specificity by observing for overlapping positives.

Fungal Ecology

The existence of an additional duplicate, AgAcp34A-3, was then confirmed by obtaining specific amplification of both paralogs in all individuals and by observing for each gene duplicate paralog-specific heterozygous SNPs (double peaks) in chromatograms.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The relation (29) follows by observing that for user, for every.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

In 2009, James Murdoch sharply criticised the BBC and Ofcom and ended his remarks by observing that for news media "the only … guarantor of independence is profit".

The Guardian

By observing them for thousands of hours he's built a "Facebook of sharks" and found that they have their own distinct personalities which are consistent over time.

Independent

Chemical shifts are reported in ppm and standardized by observing signals for residual protons.

Chemistry Central Journal

Chemical shifts were reported in ppm and standardized by observing signals for residual protons.

Chemistry Central Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "by observing for", ensure the sentence clearly states what is being observed and what the purpose of the observation is. For example, "By observing for changes in plant growth, we can determine the effectiveness of the fertilizer."

Common error

Avoid using "by observing for" without clearly stating what the observation is intended to achieve. For instance, instead of saying "The study involved observing for results", specify "The study involved observing for statistically significant results to validate the hypothesis."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by observing for" functions as a prepositional phrase, introducing a method or means of achieving a goal. It emphasizes that a specific action or outcome is achieved through the act of observation. As seen in Ludwig, this is often used in scientific, academic, and news contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

25%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by observing for" is a prepositional phrase used to describe a method of achieving a goal through careful observation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and suitability for diverse contexts, predominantly in science, news, and academic settings. While not extremely frequent, its use is consistent and effective. Consider alternatives such as "by monitoring for" or "by watching for" to adjust the tone or formality of your writing. Remember to clearly state the purpose of your observation to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by watching for

Replaces "observing" with "watching", which is a more informal synonym.

by monitoring for

Substitutes "observing" with "monitoring", implying a more systematic and regular observation.

by looking out for

Replaces "observing" with "looking out", suggesting vigilance and anticipation.

by checking for

Changes "observing" to "checking", implying a focused inspection.

by keeping an eye out for

Uses the idiom "keeping an eye out", indicating a casual yet attentive observation.

by scanning for

Replaces "observing" with "scanning", suggesting a thorough and comprehensive search.

by noting for

Substitutes "observing" with "noting", focusing on recording or remembering what is seen.

by identifying for

Changes "observing" to "identifying", implying a more analytical and conclusive observation.

by detecting for

Replaces "observing" with "detecting", suggesting the observation is aimed at finding something specific that might be hidden.

by assessing for

Substitutes "observing" with "assessing", implying a formal evaluation based on the observation.

FAQs

What does "by observing for" mean?

The phrase "by observing for" means to watch carefully in order to detect or notice something specific. It implies a proactive approach to gathering information through observation.

How can I use "by observing for" in a sentence?

You can use "by observing for" to describe a method of investigation or monitoring. For example, "By observing for changes in behavior, researchers can assess the impact of the new policy."

What are some alternatives to "by observing for"?

Some alternatives include "by monitoring for", "by watching for", or "by looking out for", each offering slightly different nuances in meaning.

Is "by observing for" formal or informal?

"By observing for" is generally considered a neutral phrase suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "by monitoring for" might be preferred in highly formal writing.