is spotted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is spotted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been seen or noticed, often in a specific context such as wildlife observation or identifying a person in a crowd. Example: "The rare bird is spotted in the forest during the early morning hours."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

A U.F.O. is spotted over London.

The New York Times

An empty liferaft is spotted.

The Guardian

Suspected doping is spotted by fluctuations.

The New York Times - Sports

If an enemy is spotted, they become aggressive.

The New York Times - Health

There's a special buzz when a prothonotary is spotted.

The New York Times

Now, he said, one is spotted more infrequently.

The New York Times

If the bomber is spotted, he can detonate instantly.

The Economist

Larry Page is spotted wearing Google glasses in England.

The New York Times

And if he is spotted by a clever maître d'hôtel?

The New York Times

Sooner or later, the lion is spotted, or proves to have been imaginary.

The Economist

At dawn, Polyneices' sister Antigone is spotted outside the wall performing the rites.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is spotted" to indicate a visual sighting, particularly when the subject is something that might be rare or noteworthy. For example, "A rare bird is spotted in the park."

Common error

Avoid using "is spotted" in highly formal or technical writing where more precise terms like "is observed" or "is detected" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is spotted" functions as a passive verb construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence is being seen or noticed by someone or something else. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

25%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is spotted" functions as a passive construction used to report a sighting, often implying an element of surprise or noteworthiness. Ludwig AI analysis, backed by numerous real-world examples, confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. While suitable for news and general writing, it may be less appropriate for highly formal contexts. Semantically, alternatives like "is seen" or "is observed" offer nuanced variations. In summary, "is spotted" is a versatile phrase for indicating visual sightings in a variety of contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is seen

Replaces "spotted" with a more general term for visual perception.

is observed

Uses a more formal term than "spotted", suggesting careful or scientific observation.

is detected

Implies the use of instruments or methods to find something that might not be immediately visible.

is noticed

Indicates that something has come to someone's attention.

is identified

Implies that something has been recognized or classified.

is discovered

Suggests something was found unexpectedly or after a search.

is located

Indicates the finding of the position or place of something.

is recognized

Indicates that someone or something is known or remembered.

is revealed

Suggests something was previously hidden or unknown.

is caught

Implies that someone has been found doing something, often something wrong.

FAQs

What does "is spotted" mean?

The phrase "is spotted" means that someone or something has been seen or noticed, often implying that the sighting was somewhat unexpected or noteworthy.

What can I say instead of "is spotted"?

You can use alternatives like "is seen", "is observed", or "is detected" depending on the context.

Is "is spotted" formal or informal?

The phrase "is spotted" is generally considered neutral in formality, suitable for news reports and general writing, but less appropriate for highly formal or scientific contexts.

How to use "is spotted" in a sentence?

You can use "is spotted" in a sentence like: "The celebrity "is spotted" at a local restaurant" or "A rare bird "is detected" in the forest".