keenly observed

USAGE SUMMARY

"keenly observed" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to someone noticing or paying close attention to something. For example, "The child keenly observed the bus driver to determine the route they were taking."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For one thing, it's brilliantly, keenly observed.

The Guardian - Music

The easygoing, keenly observed dialogue occasionally strikes a strained note.

The New York Times

Ms. Abramovic, 56, keenly observed what was going on around her during her performance.

The New York Times - Arts

Two inexplicable tragedies leave a tight-knit family reeling in Winthrop's keenly observed third novel.

The New York Times - Books

She was a master of linguistic lucidity and the keenly observed, often epiphanic detail.

The New York Times - Arts

He embraced everything from ancient mythology and epic poetry to the keenly observed forces of nature.

The New York Times

Tautly written and keenly observed, the episode is beyond creepy, even 20 years later.

The New York Times

"The first is a deeply felt, keenly observed account of her childhood and youth in Texas," wrote Michiko Kakutani.

The Guardian

The Berkeley-born playwright Anne Washburn does both, concocting extreme scenarios and filling them with keenly observed offhand speech.

The New Yorker

Ross's characters are always powerfully delineated through brilliant visual descriptions, dialogue that trips off the tongue, and keenly observed behaviour.

The Guardian - Books

It's hard to depict a heroine who eschews attention, but Monescillo's keenly observed scenes make Mary's reticence heart-rendingly concrete.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keenly observed" to describe insights or details that are particularly perceptive or astute, adding depth and credibility to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "keenly observed" when you mean to say someone is actively investigating or scrutinizing. The phrase implies a level of insight rather than just an action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keenly observed" functions primarily as an adverb-verb combination, modifying a noun to indicate that it has been noticed or examined with great attention and insight. Ludwig examples confirm its usage in describing perceptive insights and astute details.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Encyclopedias

13%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Books

4%

Arts

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "keenly observed" is a versatile phrase used to denote perceptive and insightful observation. According to Ludwig, its grammatical correctness and frequent appearance across diverse authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian affirm its value in both formal and informal contexts. The phrase serves to underscore the depth and accuracy of insights, making it a powerful tool for writers aiming to convey credibility and attention to detail.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perceptively noted

Highlights insightful recognition, replacing general observation with perceptive acknowledgment.

astutely recognized

Emphasizes clever discovery, changing the action from passive observation to active and intelligent recognition.

insightfully viewed

Highlights the depth of understanding, adding a layer of insightful interpretation to the act of viewing.

closely scrutinized

Focuses on detailed examination, implying careful inspection rather than general observation.

sharply perceived

Focuses on the clarity of perception, indicating a vivid and distinct understanding.

attentively watched

Emphasizes the act of watching with attention, shifting the focus from insight to visual attentiveness.

intently studied

Emphasizes focused and purposeful investigation, shifting from casual observation to deliberate study.

carefully monitored

Highlights continuous supervision, implying a sustained and cautious observation.

critically analyzed

Implies a structured evaluation, differing from general observation by incorporating analysis and judgment.

deeply contemplated

Shifts focus to thoughtful consideration, suggesting a profound and reflective observation.

FAQs

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

Use "keenly observed" to describe something that has been noticed with great attention and insight, as in "The author's descriptions were "keenly observed", capturing the nuances of human behavior."

What are some alternatives to "keenly observed"?

Alternatives include "perceptively noted", "astutely recognized", or "closely scrutinized", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "keenly observe" grammatically correct?

While "keenly observed" is a passive construction, "keenly observe" can be used in active voice to describe the act of observing with keenness. For instance, "She "keenly observes" the details of her surroundings."

What does "keenly observed" imply about the observer?

It implies that the observer possesses a sharp intellect and a great attention to detail, resulting in an insightful understanding of the subject being observed.