happy to observe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "happy to observe" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a positive sentiment about witnessing or noticing something, often in a formal or professional context. Example: "I am happy to observe the progress our team has made over the past few months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

I was happy to observe a notebook on his table.

The New Yorker

I was also happy to observe that, within the buoys, the water seemed cleaner than the rest of the lake.

The New York Times - Travel

"I am happy to observe that the decades of vulgar excess are finally over," the columnist India Knight wrote in The Times of London.

The New York Times

Although most of the guests were people who had already figured out their own victory strategies without recourse to Welch's bullet points, all were happy to observe Welch's eighth and last rule of leadership, as expressed on page 78: "Leaders celebrate".

The New Yorker

They decided to restrict themselves simply to describing behaviors that were visible to the human eye: they couldn't tell you why someone developed obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, but they were happy to observe that such a person is often "over-conscientious, scrupulous, and inflexible about matters of morality".

The New Yorker

My teenagers were more than happy to observe the singles scene around us as we ate pizza at York's Landing overlooking the Idler Riverboat Pub, a stationary open-deck party boat, as we listened to a live band playing Jimmy Buffett and Hootie and the Blowfish.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

In my quiet, complicated way I continued to like you, was happy simply to observe you day after day.

The New Yorker

Exile gave him more chances to write - "for me," he said, "writing is a way of being happy" - and the opportunity to observe Soviet society at close hand.

The Guardian - Books

Just give me impressive architecture and good art, and I am a happy to be there and to observe any ceremony taking place inside.

Huffington Post

He takes them on a tour of the neighborhood, peeking through living room windows to observe how happy families spend time together.

Wikipedia

Hard to observe or collect and happiest inside a leafhopper or a plant, the bacterium is fastidious and hard to grow in the laboratory -- hence its name, fastidiosa.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider if a more specific verb than "observe" would add clarity or impact. For example, "happy to see," "happy to note," or "happy to report."

Common error

Avoid using "happy to observe" in casual conversation where it might sound overly formal or stilted. Simpler alternatives like "glad to see" or "good to know" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "happy to observe" functions as an adjective phrase followed by an infinitive, indicating a positive emotional response to witnessing or noticing something. It serves to express satisfaction or pleasure in the act of observation, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "happy to observe" is a grammatically sound and usable expression for conveying a positive sentiment regarding an observation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides examples across various contexts. While "happy to observe" is often appropriate in neutral to professional settings, simpler alternatives may suit informal conversations better. Remember to tailor your language to the specific context to avoid sounding overly formal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pleased to observe

Replaces "happy" with a more formal synonym, indicating a similar positive sentiment regarding observation.

glad to see

Offers a more concise and informal alternative, focusing on the visual aspect of observation.

delighted to notice

Emphasizes a sense of joy or gratification upon making an observation.

content to witness

Highlights a sense of satisfaction derived from witnessing something.

satisfied to note

Indicates a sense of fulfillment in acknowledging or taking note of something.

willing to observe

Shifts the focus to a readiness or eagerness to observe.

agreeable to watch

Expresses a positive disposition towards watching or observing something.

find it pleasing to observe

Adds a layer of personal enjoyment to the act of observing.

take pleasure in observing

Directly expresses enjoyment derived from the act of observing.

amused to see

Highlights the entertainment or amusement derived from an observation.

FAQs

How can I use "happy to observe" in a sentence?

You can use "happy to observe" to express satisfaction or pleasure in noticing something. For example, "I am happy to observe the progress our team has made."

What can I say instead of "happy to observe"?

You can use alternatives like "pleased to observe", "glad to see", or "delighted to notice" depending on the context.

Is "happy to observe" suitable for informal conversations?

While grammatically correct, "happy to observe" might sound overly formal in casual settings. Consider using simpler alternatives like "good to see" or "glad to know".

Which is more formal: "happy to observe" or "glad to see"?

"Happy to observe" tends to be more formal than "glad to see". "Happy to observe" is often used in professional or official communications, while "glad to see" is suitable for more casual contexts.