closely watch

USAGE SUMMARY

"closely watch" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express a situation in which someone or something is being closely observed. For example, "Police officers were asked to closely watch the suspect throughout the investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

And while voters will closely watch Newton's final games against Alabama and South Carolina, they are also keeping a close eye on a news story that is changing almost daily.

The New York Times - Sports

Investors closely watch that figure.

The New York Times - Tech

Analysts closely watch Apple's gross profit margins.

The New York Times - Tech

Today, most hospitals closely watch over interns.

The New York Times

Economists closely watch these orders because they signal business investment plans.

The New York Times

Economists closely watch consumer spending because it accounts for 70 percent of economic activity.

The New York Times

Both the People's Armed Police and the MSS closely watch suspected dissidents.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Economists also closely watch the total number of people claiming benefits.

The New York Times

Economists closely watch initial claims for real-time information on the job market.

The New York Times

Investors will closely watch earnings reports throughout this week and next week.

The New York Times

If Romney wins, observers will closely watch the fate of the probes into Adelson's businesses.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "closely watch" when you want to emphasize the importance of vigilance and attention to detail in observing something.

Common error

Avoid using "closely watch" repetitively in your writing. Vary your language with synonyms like "monitor closely" or "observe carefully" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

Closely watch functions as a verb phrase, typically acting as the main verb in a sentence. It signifies the act of observing something or someone with careful attention and diligence. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

5%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "closely watch" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the act of observing something with great attention. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and offers numerous examples. Its frequency is very common, predominantly appearing in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. While versatile, consider using synonyms like "monitor closely" or "observe carefully" to avoid repetition. When using "closely watch", ensure the context emphasizes the need for vigilance and careful monitoring of a particular situation or subject.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

monitor closely

This alternative uses 'monitor' instead of 'watch', implying a more systematic and technical observation.

observe carefully

Replaces "closely watch" with "observe carefully", suggesting a detailed and attentive viewing.

keep a close eye on

Uses an idiomatic expression to indicate vigilance and attention.

pay close attention to

Emphasizes the importance of focusing on something.

follow closely

Indicates tracking something's progress or development with interest.

scrutinize

Implies a detailed and critical examination.

be vigilant of

Stresses the need to be alert and watchful for potential issues.

keep under surveillance

Suggests a covert and continuous monitoring, often for security purposes.

keep tabs on

An informal way to express monitoring something regularly.

oversee meticulously

Highlights the thorough and detailed nature of the supervision.

FAQs

How can I use "closely watch" in a sentence?

You can use "closely watch" to indicate that someone is paying careful attention to something. For example, "Economists "closely watch" consumer spending because it accounts for 70 percent of economic activity."

What are some alternatives to "closely watch"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "monitor closely", "observe carefully", or "keep a close eye on".

Is it redundant to say "closely monitor" since monitoring already implies close attention?

While "monitor" does imply observation, using "closely monitor" can emphasize the intensity and thoroughness of the observation. It depends on the desired level of emphasis in your writing.

In what situations is it best to use "closely watch"?

Use "closely watch" when you want to convey a sense of vigilance, anticipation, or careful observation, especially when the outcome or development of something is uncertain or significant.