make observations

USAGE SUMMARY

"make observations" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to carefully watch or examine something and gather information about it. Example: During the science experiment, the students were instructed to make observations of the chemical reaction and record their findings in their lab notebooks.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Trained observers are instructed to make observations whether there are algae or not, but citizens make observations whenever they find it useful.

Environmental Systems Research

A wife likes to make observations about her friends' husbands to her own.

The New York Times - Books

and, from there, to make observations about how these notes related "with one another" toward a higher musical purpose.

The New Yorker

We can't begin to make observations until we've prepared at least some of the essential gear.

The New York Times

"I'd go down every street, take notes, make observations as to what was particular to that area," he said.

The New York Times

Some foreigners come to India and make observations about the country that many Indians find unbearable.

The New York Times

Such restraints on access make observations by members of Colectivo Chuhcan all the more important, experts say.

The New York Times

This means it is no longer necessary for an astronomer actually to visit a telescope to make observations.

The Economist

"I don't think you need multiple wins to make observations and add to the audience's understanding," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

On his own, Dr. Friedlander said in an interview, he has managed to visit some of the survivors to make observations.

The New York Times

For the last event, the United States government mustered eight expeditions to make observations around the world, partly because Britain, France, Russia and other rivals did the same.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make observations" when you want to emphasize the act of actively noticing and gathering information through careful attention. For instance, in a scientific context, it highlights the importance of empirical data collection.

Common error

Avoid jumping to conclusions immediately after "making observations". Ensure you analyze the data and evidence thoroughly before forming any judgements or hypotheses. Observations are the raw data; conclusions are the interpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make observations" functions as a verb phrase, where "make" is the main verb and "observations" is the direct object. Ludwig AI confirms its use across various contexts, emphasizing the action of actively noticing and gathering information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make observations" is a versatile verb phrase widely used across various contexts, especially in science and news media. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and denotes the action of carefully gathering information. When writing, use this phrase to underscore the importance of empirical data collection, and avoid the common mistake of prematurely drawing conclusions without proper analysis. Remember, "make observations" precedes analysis and interpretation, providing the foundation for informed judgements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conduct investigations

Focuses on a more formal and structured approach to gathering information.

perform inspections

Implies a detailed and methodical examination, often for quality control or compliance.

undertake studies

Suggests a systematic and thorough exploration of a topic or subject.

carry out analyses

Emphasizes the process of breaking down a subject into its constituent parts for examination.

gather evidence

Highlights the collection of facts or data to support a claim or hypothesis.

collect information

Stresses the act of accumulating data from various sources.

take note

Emphasizes recording or remembering something important.

pay attention

Focuses on directing one's focus and awareness.

keep watch

Implies continuous monitoring or surveillance.

monitor developments

Concentrates on tracking changes or progress over time.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "make observations" in a scientific paper?

When writing a scientific paper, use "make observations" to describe the process of collecting empirical data. For example, "We "made observations" of the plant's growth rate over a period of six weeks".

What are some alternatives to "make observations" in a business context?

In a business setting, you might use phrases like "conduct investigations", "perform inspections", or "gather evidence" to convey a similar meaning with a more formal tone.

Is it correct to say "do observations" instead of "make observations"?

While "do observations" might be understood, "make observations" is the more standard and grammatically correct phrase. It is widely accepted and used in formal writing and speech.

What is the difference between "make observations" and "draw conclusions"?

"Make observations" refers to the act of collecting data through careful attention and examination. "Draw conclusions" involves interpreting the data and forming judgements or decisions based on those observations.