make an observation of

USAGE SUMMARY

"make an observation of" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to the act of noticing or commenting on something specific. Example: "In the study, we make an observation of the participants' behavior." Alternative expressions include "observe," "note," and "comment on."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Make an observation of how an individual treats service staff (waiters, clerks etc. ).

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Back in January 2004, an operational update by the Red Cross made an observation of the psychological impact that the concept of indefinite detention was having on the prisoners inside the camp.

The Guardian

"This is far in the future, but if someone makes an observation of an exoplanet and they find a magnetic field, that may be an indication that there is a magma ocean, even if they cannot see this directly," Militzer said.

University of California, Berkeley

Platonists or rationalists claim verification for their theories because they have made an observation of what reason reveals to them.

SEP

To perform distributed estimation using a WSN, each sensor makes an observation of the quantity of interest, generates a local signal, and then sends it to a fusion center (FC) via a wireless fading channel.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

After completing the questionnaire, the interviewer made an observation of the area around the participant's dwelling to assess it with regard to dengue prevention.

BMC Public Health

He was making an observation on the nuances of relationships, one which many relationship counsellors would agree with.

BBC

I'm making an observation about the economics of systems which seem to work in other places.

Forbes

UPDATE: Zach Graves contacted us with a response: "I simply made an observation that a handful of my co-workers had made the decision, on their own, to leave the company.

TechCrunch

He said that there would be "a need for monitors and observers to see what's happening on the ground, to serve as interlocutors to go to points of friction and make an independent observation of what has happened".

The New York Times

Experimental set-up from which LAs make predictions (a), observation of complex shadow, different from the sharp square image that LAs typically predict (b).

International Journal of STEM Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make an observation of", consider if a more concise verb like "observe" or "note" would be more effective.

Common error

Avoid using "make an observation of" in situations where active voice would be more direct and engaging. For example, instead of "An observation was made of the data", try "We observed the data".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make an observation of" functions as a verbal phrase used to describe the act of noticing, examining, and often commenting on something. Ludwig AI's examples show it used in scientific, academic, and general contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make an observation of" is grammatically sound and serves to describe the action of noticing and often commenting on something. While Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its correctness, the examples highlight that it can often be replaced by more concise alternatives like "observe" or "note". The phrase appears in a variety of contexts, ranging from scientific reports to news articles, suggesting a neutral to formal tone. While acceptable, writers should consider whether a more direct verb would enhance clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Observe

This is a more concise, single-word alternative.

Note

This alternative emphasizes recording or remembering something seen.

Notice

Highlights the act of becoming aware of something.

Detect

Suggests identifying something not immediately obvious.

Discern

Implies careful observation and judgment.

Spot

Suggests a quick, often visual, observation.

Identify

Focuses on recognizing or classifying something.

Remark on

Emphasizes making a comment about something observed.

Comment on

This highlights the act of expressing an opinion or noting something.

Take note of

This emphasizes paying attention to something and recording it.

FAQs

What does "make an observation of" mean?

The phrase "make an observation of" means to notice something and often to comment on it. It suggests a deliberate act of paying attention and noting details.

How can I use "make an observation of" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe the act of noticing or commenting on something. For example, "The scientist "made an observation of" the plant's growth patterns".

What can I say instead of "make an observation of"?

You can use alternatives like "observe", "note", or "remark on" depending on the context.

Which is more concise: "make an observation of" or "observe"?

Observe is more concise than "make an observation of" and often a better choice for clear and direct writing. However, the longer phrase can be useful for emphasizing the act of observing.