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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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not observed

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE 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

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Myelosuppression was not observed.

Not observed in the coast.

Toxic effects were not observed.

Periventricular leukomalacia was not observed.

Intercalation was not observed.

Allosuckling was not observed.

Mobbing was not observed.

But the gluon was not observed.

News & Media

The Guardian

Moreover, quarks were not observed either.

News & Media

The Guardian

He had not observed it himself.

News & Media

The New Yorker

This pattern was not observed among men.

News & Media

Independent
Show more...

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.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

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.

Expression frequency: Very common

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.

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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Source & Trust

83%

Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: