observation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "observation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of observing something or making a remark based on what has been seen or experienced. Example: "My observation during the experiment was that the temperature significantly affected the reaction rate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"[They] permit us to observe the diurnal, nocturnal, and discreet species difficult to [find through] direct observation like lesula, Congo peafowl, elephants and also dangerous species like leopard.

The Guardian

Whenever the topic of the vast – and constantly expanding – wealth gap comes up for debate, it seems as if someone is always itching for the opportunity to resurrect those words, culminating in Fitzgerald's observation that the wealthy "think, deep in their hearts, that they are better than we are".

The Guardian - Money

As the Bank struggles to find a way of controlling house prices without increasing interest rates and damaging the recovery, I am struck by a recent observation from my acquaintance Philipp Hildebrand, former governor of the Swiss Central Bank.

The Guardian - Business

Mohara Gill, Head of Art at Foyles, said: "Photojournalism can often be a more effective and immediate medium for communicating a point of view or observation than the written word.

The Guardian

In Glass Wings (Bloodaxe), Fleur Adcock is as clear-eyed as always in a collection that ranges widely over lost worlds, family histories and memories of childhood, but always maintains the art of seemingly artless observation.

The Guardian - Books

O'Connor has a sharp eye for personal detail: none better than her observation of the discomfort in and around the DUP: Last Friday saw Dr Paisley take up three, perhaps four positions inside 24 hours, none of them gracefully.

The Guardian - Opinion

Week 3: Workshop focusing on character and dialogue - Tuesday 22nd September The discussion will include naturalism and authenticity, restriction, identity, reliability, sympathy, time and transformation, cliché, observation and detail, interiority and exteriority, activity and psychology, and reader interpretation.

The Guardian

By Tuesday a centre for diagnostics and observation built by Unicef was in place at the hospital, and screenings at the border with Senegal will be reinforced over the next days.

The Guardian

By also stating that we should be alarmed by a change in the clothes that individuals choose to wear is also a lamentable observation.

The Guardian

Guardian Australia understands that on Wednesday morning a 24-year-old woman who had been under observation at the weekend jumped off the roof of the Christmas Island detention centre.

The Guardian

In the same way, his art is one of engaged observation rather than noisy propaganda.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "observation" to introduce an idea or viewpoint formed after careful examination and analysis of a situation, event, or data.

Common error

When presenting an "observation", always provide supporting evidence or context to enhance its credibility and prevent it from being dismissed as mere speculation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "observation" is that of a noun. It refers either to the act of observing or to a statement made based on something one has observed. As Ludwig AI confirms, this term is correct and applicable in various writing contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Science

8%

Opinion

5%

Arts

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "observation" functions primarily as a noun denoting the act of watching or the statement derived from that act. It's a versatile term with neutral formality, frequently appearing in News & Media, Wiki, and Formal & Business contexts. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in English. When employing "observation", clarity is key; ensure that the context makes clear what you observed and how you formed your insights. Alternatives include "scrutiny" and "remark", depending on the intended nuance. Remember to support your "observation" with evidence to enhance credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scrutiny

Focuses on a detailed and critical examination.

inspection

Emphasizes a formal or official examination.

study

Highlights a systematic and thorough investigation.

assessment

Implies an evaluation or judgment based on what is seen.

remark

Refers to a brief statement or comment made based on observation.

finding

Highlights a discovery or conclusion reached through observation.

perception

Focuses on the way something is understood or interpreted through the senses.

diagnosis

Refers to identifying a condition based on careful observation of symptoms.

reconnaissance

Emphasizes exploration to gain information.

surveillance

Focuses on continuous monitoring to gather information.

FAQs

How can I use "observation" in a sentence?

You can use "observation" to refer to the act of watching something, like in "The experiment required careful observation of the reaction", or to a comment or remark, such as "His observation about the economy proved accurate".

What's a good alternative to the word "observation"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "scrutiny", "inspection", or "remark".

Is there a difference between "observation" and "inference"?

"Observation" involves noticing or perceiving something directly, while "inference" involves drawing a conclusion based on observations and prior knowledge. Observation is direct, inference is interpretive.

What is the difference between "observation" and "speculation"?

"Observation" is based on factual evidence and direct experience, while "speculation" is conjecture or guesswork without concrete evidence.