initially observed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "initially observed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that was noticed or detected at the beginning of a process or study. Example: "The phenomenon was initially observed during the first phase of the experiment."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When I initially observed one of their meetings, I saw a familiar pattern.

The New York Times

The first is nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF), which was initially observed in 1997.

Nature

However the areas in the pacific northwest where the current wasting was initially observed are home to frigid waters.

The Guardian

Fibre breaks were initially observed in isolated locations, consistent with the stochastic nature of fibre strengths.

Composites Science and Technology

They were initially observed 4 days after surgery and were very large.

Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery

The hexachloroiridate (IV) complex was initially observed in both UV vis and cyclic voltammetry.

Electrochimica Acta

All five patients experienced at least one seizure occurring many minutes to hours after programming, with no side-effects initially observed once the final settings had been programmed.

Stanford University

This is consistent with the hypothesis that the initially observed differences in impact of the heatwave were not caused by an external disturbance alone (e.g., the heatwave itself).

Nature

The sI clathrate was initially observed after the synthesis time of 1 and 2.5 weeks because the 51262 cages are energetically favoured at small cage occupancies.

Nature

This was initially observed for the TF repressor REST7, but has since been observed for a wide-range of TFs8,9,10.

Nature

However, the clinical ability of DNA vaccines is still controversial due to the limited immune response initially observed in humans.

Molecular Therapy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "initially observed" to clearly indicate that something was noticed or detected at the beginning of a process, study, or period. This helps establish a timeline and differentiate between initial findings and later developments.

Common error

Avoid using "initially observed" when discussing ongoing or later observations. Reserve this phrase specifically for the very first instance of noticing something. If you are talking about something noticed later in a process, consider using phrases like "subsequently noted" or "later observed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "initially observed" primarily functions as a descriptive element, specifying when an observation occurred. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Examples from Ludwig show its use in various contexts, indicating the beginning of a process or study.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

72%

News & Media

13%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "initially observed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to indicate that something was noticed or detected at the beginning of a process or study. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is widely accepted in written English and appears most often in science, news, and academic contexts. Alternative phrases like "first noted" or "originally detected" can be used for slight variations in emphasis or formality. When using this phrase, be sure to specify the initial instance of an observation, differentiating it from subsequent findings. Be careful not to confuse it with previously observed. This ensures clarity and precision in your writing. Overall, "initially observed" is a reliable and versatile phrase for academic, professional, and scientific communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initially detected

Is a more succinct alternative, directly synonymous.

at first observed

Rephrases to emphasize the temporal aspect of the observation, highlighting that it occurred at the beginning.

first noted

Replaces "observed" with "noted", implying a slightly less formal or detailed observation.

originally seen

Replaces "observed" with "seen", offering a more straightforward and common way to describe an initial visual sighting.

originally detected

Substitutes "observed" with "detected", suggesting a more technical or scientific context.

first recognized

Emphasizes the act of identifying or acknowledging something for the first time.

primarily noticed

Substitutes "observed" with "noticed", implying a less formal and more general observation.

first spotted

Replaces "observed" with "spotted", conveying a more casual or immediate discovery.

early recognized

Implies recognizing something in the early stages but has a very minor variation in the sentence and word order.

previously identified

Highlights that something was known or identified at an earlier time.

FAQs

How can I use "initially observed" in a sentence?

Use "initially observed" to describe the first instance of noticing or detecting something. For example, "The effect was "initially observed" in cell cultures before being tested in vivo."

What's the difference between "initially observed" and "previously observed"?

"Initially observed" refers to the very first time something was noticed. "Previously observed" indicates that something was noticed at some earlier point, but not necessarily the very first time.

What are some alternatives to "initially observed"?

Alternatives include "first noted", "originally detected", or "first spotted", depending on the context and level of formality.

Is it correct to say "initially observed" or should I use a different phrase?

It is perfectly correct to use ""initially observed"" in written English. It's a common and accepted phrase for describing something noticed at the beginning, as supported by Ludwig.