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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
it was observed by
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "it was observed by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a finding or conclusion that was noted or recorded by someone, typically in a formal or academic context. Example: "In the study, it was observed by the researchers that the new treatment significantly improved patient outcomes."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Formal & Business
Alternative expressions(20)
it was noted by
it was determined by
it was reported by
it was removed by
it was followed by
it was dictated by
it was crowned by
it was ignored by
it was caused by
it was misused by
it was sponsored by
it was created by
it was decided by
it was opened by
it was substituted by
it was designed by
it was discovered by
it was displaced by
it was driven by
it was compensated by
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
It was observed by a crowd of reporters and a similarly large contingent of Mets coaches and medical staff members.
News & Media
It was observed by the French comet hunter Charles Messier in August 1764, but was probably first documented by the Sicilian astronomer Giovanni Battista Hodierna around 100 years earlier.
News & Media
It was observed by some witnesses at the time that civilisation itself was collapsing, but perceptive history buffs will note that just a couple of decades before, it almost had.
News & Media
Earlier in the season it was observed by hacks whose name shall remain somewhere on this page that Jose Enrique had deteriorated to the point that, as as left-back, he bore comparison with Liverpool legends such as Djimi Traoré, Julian Dicks and Paul Konchesky.
News & Media
It was observed by scanning electron microscopy that the deposited layer was uniform, compact and continuous.
More recently, it was observed by Brezis and Vázquez [8] and others [24] that the inequality can be improved.
It was observed by HPLC analysis that phytase could degrade 72% of chlorpyrifos at pH 7.0, °C °C.
Science
However, it was observed by Ma and Grimson [4] that some features only appear in very few objects.
However, it was observed by Alsulami et al. in [7] that these results are in fact not new.
It was observed by Đorić [20] that the continuity of φ can be relaxed to lower semi-continuity in Theorem 1.3.
It was observed by researchers [4,17-19] thet the mobility is mostly not random and there is a pattern in encounters.
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "it was observed by", ensure that the source of the observation is clearly identified to maintain credibility.
Common error
Be careful not to overuse the passive voice with "it was observed by", as it can sometimes make the sentence less direct and engaging. Consider rephrasing for a more active construction if appropriate.
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "it was observed by" functions as a passive construction used to attribute an observation or finding to a specific source. This structure is common in formal writing where the emphasis is on the observation itself rather than the observer. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its usage across various contexts.
Frequent in
Science
67%
News & Media
23%
Formal & Business
3%
Less common in
Wiki
3%
Encyclopedias
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "it was observed by" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction to attribute an observation to a specific source. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted in formal and academic writing. It commonly appears in scientific and news contexts, lending objectivity and authority to the statement. When employing this phrase, clarity in identifying the source is crucial. Consider active voice alternatives for more directness. With its prevalence and clear function, "it was observed by" remains a valuable tool for formal communication.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
it was noted by
Replaces "observed" with "noted", emphasizing the act of taking notice.
it was recognized by
Replaces "observed" with "recognized", highlighting acknowledgement of a fact or quality.
it was remarked by
Substitutes "observed" with "remarked", highlighting a comment or statement made.
it was detected by
Uses "detected" instead of "observed", suggesting a discovery through specific means.
it was identified by
Replaces "observed" with "identified", focusing on recognition of something specific.
it was determined by
Uses "determined" instead of "observed", suggesting a conclusion reached through analysis.
it was discerned by
Substitutes "observed" with "discerned", indicating a careful and insightful observation.
it has been found by
Shifts the tense and replaces "observed" with "found", emphasizing a discovery.
it was perceived by
Uses "perceived" instead of "observed", emphasizing a subjective interpretation.
it was seen by
Simple substitution of "observed" with "seen", maintaining the core meaning of visual perception.
FAQs
How can I use "it was observed by" in a sentence?
Use "it was observed by" to introduce a finding or conclusion noted by someone. For example, "It was observed by the researchers that the new treatment improved patient outcomes."
What's the difference between "it was observed by" and "it was noted by"?
"It was observed by" and "it was noted by" are very similar. "Observed" often implies a more careful or scientific examination, while "noted" is a more general term for taking notice.
Are there more formal alternatives to "it was observed by"?
More formal alternatives include phrases like "it was determined by" or "it was ascertained by", which suggest a more rigorous or conclusive observation.
Can I use "it was observed by" in informal writing?
While "it was observed by" is generally suitable for formal and academic contexts, it can sound somewhat stilted in informal writing. Consider using simpler alternatives like "someone saw that" or "it was noticed that" in less formal situations.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested