noticing

USAGE SUMMARY

"noticing" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when you are wanting to describe the act of perceiving something with one's senses or noticing an interesting detail. For example, "He was noticing a strange smell coming from the kitchen."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Noticing the cramps and moans of my peers, my absent period appeared to be a blessing of genetics.

The Guardian

But he could do more to stop people noticing it.

The Guardian - Opinion

He insisted that nobody had "dropped the ball" in his department by not noticing how badly the bonus story would play with the public and he couldn't control media reaction to it.

The Guardian - Business

With expert actors like those guys at the Donmar, it's not about choreographing, it's not telling them how to move … It's just noticing things about their choices and giving them some more physical options to take.

The Guardian

And then I remember noticing that there were suddenly no leaves on the trees – I'd been so engrossed I hadn't seen the seasons change.

The Guardian

In my twenties, I started noticing crow's feet and grey hairs.

The Guardian - Opinion

I started noticing a few years ago that many caravan sites were brilliantly located, often very near the smart house we'd paid a fortune to rent, and often closer to the beach.

The Guardian - Travel

And this really is a kind of underdog good-news story for Wes Anderson's Grand Budapest Hotel, which might so easily have completely vanished over awards season, without anybody particularly noticing.

The Guardian - Film

This means the Marriott chain is permanently on stand-by to help cut its power, but believes it can do so without customers noticing.

The Guardian

On Monday, Hunt told MPs that border officials would have to rely to some extent on people noticing posters about Ebola in airports and presenting themselves to the authorities if they thought they were at risk.

The Guardian

The Vipassana technique involves systematically moving your attention around your body, noticing physical sensations but not reacting to them.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "noticing" to describe the initial stage of awareness, often followed by a realization or understanding. For example, "Noticing the discrepancy, she investigated further."

Common error

Avoid using "noticing" when "knowing" is more appropriate. "Noticing" implies a sensory or observational experience, while "knowing" suggests established knowledge or understanding. Choose "knowing" when referring to information already possessed, not a newfound observation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "noticing" is to act as a present participle or gerund, often functioning as part of a continuous verb tense or as a noun describing the act of observation. As Ludwig AI indicates, this usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "noticing" functions as a versatile verb form used to describe the act of becoming aware of something, as Ludwig AI confirms. Its grammatical correctness and frequent use across diverse sources, including news media and formal business contexts, highlight its broad acceptability. While synonyms like "observing" and "detecting" offer nuanced alternatives, "noticing" remains a common and effective way to convey initial awareness. When using the term, remember that it refers to sensory or observational experiences, and it may be less formal than "observing" in academic settings. As the examples from Ludwig demonstrate, "noticing" is often followed by a realization or a subsequent action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Observing

Focuses more on careful and sustained attention.

Detecting

Implies discovering something not immediately obvious.

Perceiving

Emphasizes sensory awareness and understanding.

Realizing

Suggests a sudden understanding or awareness.

Recognizing

Highlights the identification of something already known.

Spotting

Indicates a quick or casual observation.

Identifying

Focuses on determining the nature or identity of something.

Becoming aware of

A more formal and explicit way of expressing the act of noticing.

Paying attention to

Emphasizes the act of directing focus towards something.

Taking note of

Suggests a more deliberate and recorded observation.

FAQs

How can I use "noticing" in a sentence?

"Noticing" can be used to describe the act of becoming aware of something. For instance, "Noticing the rain, she grabbed her umbrella" or "He was noticing a change in her behavior."

What are some alternatives to "noticing"?

Alternatives include "observing", "detecting", "perceiving", or "realizing", each with slight differences in meaning.

Is it correct to say "noticing of"?

While grammatically sound, "noticing of" is less common than simply "noticing". For example, it's more natural to say "Noticing the error" than "Noticing of the error".

What's the difference between "noticing" and "watching"?

"Noticing" implies a brief or initial awareness, while "watching" suggests a sustained observation over time. You might "notice" a fleeting expression, but "watch" a movie.