in observance of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'in observance of' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in formal writing to describe an action taken as a show of respect or tradition. For example: "The national team wore black ribbons in observance of those who were lost in the war".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was in observance of Loyalty Day..

The New Yorker

Markets are closed today in observance of Good Friday.

The New York Times

The stock markets were closed yesterday in observance of Christmas.

The New York Times

(The market was closed Friday in observance of Good Friday).

The New York Times

European markets were closed in observance of Easter Monday.

The New York Times

It is in observance of National Day, October 1st.

The New Yorker

Negotiators also took Thursday off in observance of Rosh Hashanah.

The New York Times - Sports

The embassy was closed Monday in observance of Presidents' Day and Tuesday in observance of Carnival Day, a national holiday in Panama.

The New York Times

Financial markets, government offices and banks will be closed Thursday in observance of Thanksgiving.

The New York Times

They were closed Monday in observance of Martin Luther King's Birthday.

The New York Times

(Most lawmakers took today off in observance of President Lincoln's birthday, a state holiday).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in observance of" to denote actions taken out of respect for a tradition, holiday, or important event. It adds a formal tone to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "in observance of" when a simple "because of" or "due to" would suffice. "In observance of" specifically implies a deliberate act of respect or commemoration, not merely a cause-and-effect relationship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in observance of" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating the reason for an action or event, typically related to honoring or recognizing a specific occasion, holiday, or tradition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used in formal writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

17%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in observance of" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed prepositional phrase, as validated by Ludwig AI. Its primary function is to indicate that an action is being taken as a sign of respect for a holiday, tradition, or important event. It is most commonly found in news and media outlets, as well as in academic settings. While alternatives like "in commemoration of" or "in celebration of" exist, "in observance of" maintains a formal tone suitable for official announcements and event explanations. Remember to use it when denoting deliberate acts of respect rather than simple causal relationships.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in commemoration of

Emphasizes the act of remembering and honoring an event or person.

in celebration of

Highlights the joyful aspect of acknowledging an event or occasion.

in honor of

Focuses on showing respect and admiration for someone or something.

to mark the occasion of

Indicates that an action is being taken to recognize a specific event.

in recognition of

Highlights the act of acknowledging and appreciating something.

to acknowledge

Expresses a simple recognition, without necessarily involving any formal ceremony.

to respect

Highlights the act of showing consideration.

in deference to

Shows respect and yielding to another's judgment or wishes.

as a tribute to

Implies an act of showing gratitude.

to keep

Emphasizes the act of following a tradition.

FAQs

How do you use "in observance of" in a sentence?

The phrase "in observance of" is used to indicate that an action is being taken as a sign of respect for a holiday, tradition, or important event. For example, "The office will be closed "in observance of Labor Day"".

What are some alternatives to using "in observance of"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "in commemoration of", "in celebration of", or "in honor of" as alternatives to "in observance of".

Is it correct to say 'in observance to' instead of "in observance of"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "in observance" is "of". Saying "in observance to" is grammatically incorrect.

What is the difference between "in observance of" and "because of"?

"In observance of" implies a deliberate act of respect or tradition, while "because of" simply indicates a cause-and-effect relationship. For instance, "The market is closed "in observance of Good Friday"" suggests a closure due to respect for the holiday, whereas "The event was canceled because of rain" indicates a causal relationship.