closely watching

USAGE SUMMARY

"closely watching" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that someone is paying close attention to something or someone. Example sentence: The teacher was closely watching the students to make sure they stayed on task.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The two camps are no doubt closely watching Britain's experiment.

The New York Times

The rest of the auto industry is closely watching China.

The New York Times

The producers Timbaland and DJ Khaled listened closely, watching West and smiling.

The New Yorker

Analysts and diplomats will be closely watching the reception he gets from fellow leaders.

Independent

One thing is for certain: the leadership in Beijing will be closely watching what happens.

The New Yorker

As the negotiations in Washington continue, many strategists are closely watching the bond market.

The New York Times

Investors are closely watching a trickle of statistics for guidance about the state of the economy.

The New York Times

The tepid results have companies that are considering public offerings closely watching the public markets.

The New York Times

Investors were closely watching Ericsson's result for signs of a slowing world economy.

The New York Times - Tech

The sports world and the legal world will be closely watching the case.

The New York Times - Sports

Still, the Saudis are closely watching American diplomatic gestures toward Bahrain.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "closely watching" when you want to emphasize active and careful observation, particularly in situations where the outcome is uncertain or significant. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "closely watching" is versatile, avoid overusing it in very casual conversations. Consider more relaxed alternatives like "keeping an eye on" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "closely watching" functions as a verb phrase, typically used within a clause to describe an action of careful observation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, showcasing frequent use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

19%

Science

17%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "closely watching" is a verb phrase denoting careful and attentive observation. As verified by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used, especially in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts. While versatile, it's best to avoid overusing it in very casual settings. Alternatives like "carefully observing" or "keenly monitoring" can provide nuanced variations. Remember that "closely watching" is about observing, while "closely following" means tracking progress over time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

closely observing

Similar in meaning, but places more stress on the actual act of observation.

monitoring closely

Highlights the active and continuous tracking of something, typically for performance or security purposes.

carefully observing

Emphasizes the deliberate and attentive nature of the observation, often implying a scientific or analytical perspective.

keeping a close eye on

An idiomatic expression indicating careful and continuous observation, often with a sense of responsibility or concern.

keenly monitoring

Highlights the active and continuous nature of the observation, suggesting a focus on tracking changes or developments.

carefully tracking

Similar to 'keenly monitoring' but more descriptive.

attentively observing

Stresses the focus and concentration involved in watching, suggesting a deep interest or concern.

observing attentively

Highlights the focus and concentration, similar to 'attentively observing'.

vigilantly tracking

Implies a sense of watchfulness and alertness, often in anticipation of potential issues or threats.

scrutinizing carefully

Suggests a detailed and critical examination, often with the aim of identifying flaws or inconsistencies.

FAQs

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

You can use "closely watching" to describe the act of observing something with great attention, such as "Analysts are "closely watching" the economic indicators" or "The coach was "closely watching" the player's performance".

What are some alternatives to "closely watching"?

Alternatives to "closely watching" include "carefully observing", "keenly monitoring", or "keeping a close eye on", depending on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is "closely watching" formal or informal?

"Closely watching" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very casual conversations, consider alternatives like "keeping an eye on" for a more relaxed tone.

What's the difference between "closely watching" and "closely following"?

"Closely watching" implies observing something as it unfolds, while "closely following" suggests tracking the progress or development of something over time. For example, you might "closely watch" a live event, but "closely follow" a news story.