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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
not observed
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "not observed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in different contexts, depending on the meaning you want to convey: 1. To indicate that something was not seen or noticed: - The bird was not observed during today's birdwatching trip. - The changes in the experiment were not observed until the third trial. 2. To express that something was not followed or adhered to: - The speed limit was not observed by the reckless driver. - The rules of the game were not observed by the players. 3. To convey that something was not witnessed or experienced: - The solar eclipse was not observed due to the cloudy weather. - The phenomenon was not observed by any of the scientists present at the time. 4. To suggest that something was not recorded or documented: - The effect of the medication on children has not been observed in any studies. - The behavior of the animals in captivity has not been observed closely enough. Example sentence: The behavior of the students during the school trip was not observed closely enough, leading to some incidents that could have been avoided.
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Academia
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
Myelosuppression was not observed.
Academia
Not observed in the coast.
Toxic effects were not observed.
Academia
Periventricular leukomalacia was not observed.
Academia
Intercalation was not observed.
Science
Allosuckling was not observed.
Mobbing was not observed.
Science
But the gluon was not observed.
News & Media
Moreover, quarks were not observed either.
News & Media
He had not observed it himself.
News & Media
This pattern was not observed among men.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "not observed" in scientific writing, clearly state the conditions under which the observation was made to provide context and avoid ambiguity.
Common error
Avoid concluding that something doesn't exist simply because it was "not observed". Instead, acknowledge the limitations of the observation methods or conditions.
Source & Trust
83%
Authority and reliability
4.6/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "not observed" functions primarily as a verb phrase expressing the absence of a visual or sensory perception. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it indicates that something was not seen or detected under specific circumstances, conveying a lack of evidence or occurrence.
Frequent in
Science
63%
Academia
20%
News & Media
17%
Less common in
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "not observed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, primarily found in scientific, academic, and news contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to report the absence of a visual or sensory perception or the lack of evidence for a particular event. When using this phrase, especially in formal writing, it is best practice to state the conditions under which the observation was made to provide context. Common alternatives include "not detected", "not noticed", and "not seen", each with subtle differences in meaning. Remember to avoid misinterpreting the absence of evidence as evidence of absence, which is a common logical fallacy.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
not detected
This alternative focuses on the absence of detection, emphasizing a failure to find or identify something.
not noticed
This alternative emphasizes a lack of visual or sensory awareness.
not seen
A simpler and more direct way of saying something was not visually perceived.
not identified
Focuses on the lack of successful identification of something, often in a scientific or investigative context.
not registered
Implies that something did not meet the criteria to be recorded or officially noted.
not complied with
This indicates a failure to adhere to rules or regulations.
not followed
Suggests a lack of adherence to a procedure or guideline.
not respected
Focuses on lack of admiration, esteem or obidience.
not adhered to
Similar to "not complied with" and "not followed", but perhaps with a slightly stronger emphasis on a deliberate choice not to adhere.
escaped detection
This phrase indicates that something avoided being detected or noticed.
FAQs
How can I use "not observed" in a sentence?
You can use "not observed" to indicate that something was not seen or detected. For example, "No changes were "not observed" during the experiment".
What are some alternatives to saying "not observed"?
Alternatives include "not detected", "not noticed", or "not seen", depending on the specific context.
Is it better to say "was not observed" or "was unobserved"?
"Was not observed" is generally preferred because it is more common and natural-sounding. "Unobserved" typically functions as an adjective, rather than a verb phrase.
In scientific writing, how should I use "not observed" to maintain objectivity?
Clearly state the conditions and methods under which observations were made. For instance, "Under the specified conditions, the effect was "not observed"" provides more context.
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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
83%
Authority and reliability
4.6/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested