observe a change

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "observe a change" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of noticing or perceiving a difference in a situation, condition, or behavior. Example: "After implementing the new strategy, we began to observe a change in team productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Similar to the observations of Zeddies and Fay [ 12] in zebrafish, we did not observe a change in the range of detectable frequencies.

BMC Biology

We observe a change in the band bending correlated to different Fermi level positions in the doped (D+) layer.

Applied Surface Science

In order to observe a change of initial mechanical properties, the biaxial cyclic tests are carried out.

Construction and Building Materials

However, even in absence of faults, it is possible to observe a change in the AR models due to the change of operating mode of the LMFBR.

Nuclear Engineering and Design

From 1.8% to 2% polycarboxylate content, we observe a change in the hydration time for the two calcium silicates, the major phases of anhydrous cement.

Construction and Building Materials

We observe a change in the aggregational state of lysozyme when the pH is shifted from the acidic to the alkaline ranges.

Chemical Engineering Science

Because we did not observe a change or jump of conductivity in this condition, the transition might not affect the fluid fraction and salinity.

Earth, Planets and Space

However, this method is applicable only if the length of the lit zone is sufficiently long that we can observe a change of AoA in the beamforming spectrum.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The aggregate survival curve still displays the same long right tail, however, we also observe a change in the rate of decrease with admittance rates relatively larger for the first three durations, slowing down after that.

Health Economics Review

For a people who did not truly observe a change in previous revolutions, the fourth world is not one to be heralded with pomp and pleasantry.

Huffington Post

This is not unexpected since it would be difficult to observe a change in protein concentration above the background of these proteins found in ribosomes in eukaryotic tissues.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing scientifically, use "observe a change" to denote noticing a difference in experimental data or natural phenomena. This phrasing adds a level of formality suitable for academic contexts.

Common error

Avoid using passive constructions that obscure who is doing the observing. Instead of "A change was observed", write "Researchers observed a change" to maintain clarity and accountability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "observe a change" functions as a verb phrase where 'observe' is the verb and 'a change' is the direct object. It denotes the act of noticing or perceiving an alteration. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

90%

News & Media

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "observe a change" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that signifies noticing or detecting a difference. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is commonly employed across diverse fields, particularly in scientific and formal contexts. While alternatives like "notice a difference" or "detect a shift" exist, "observe a change" carries a degree of formality suitable for academic and professional writing. Though less frequent than other similar phrases, it remains a valid and effective choice for expressing the perception of an alteration. The authoritative sources confirm its appropriateness in scientific discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

notice a difference

This alternative directly replaces "observe" with "notice" and "change" with "difference", maintaining a high degree of semantic similarity.

detect a shift

This option replaces "observe" with "detect" and "change" with "shift", suggesting a more subtle or gradual alteration.

witness an alteration

Using "witness" adds an element of direct experience, while "alteration" implies a formal or significant change.

perceive a transformation

"Perceive" emphasizes the sensory or cognitive aspect of noticing, and "transformation" suggests a fundamental change.

identify a variation

"Identify" focuses on the recognition of the change, while "variation" suggests a deviation from a norm.

recognize a modification

"Recognize" highlights the cognitive aspect of acknowledging the change, and "modification" implies a deliberate alteration.

discern a development

"Discern" suggests careful observation, while "development" implies a progressive change over time.

note a fluctuation

"Note" is a simple way to say "observe", and "fluctuation" suggests an irregular or wavering change.

register a deviation

"Register" implies an official or formal observation, and "deviation" indicates a departure from a standard.

ascertain a difference

The word ascertain implies effort in determining a change.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "observe a change"?

You can use alternatives like "notice a difference", "detect a shift", or "witness an alteration" depending on the context.

Is "observe a change" formal or informal?

"Observe a change" is generally considered a neutral to formal expression, suitable for academic, professional, and news contexts. Simpler alternatives like "notice a change" might be used in more informal settings.

How do I use "observe a change" in a sentence?

You can use "observe a change" to describe the act of noticing a difference in a situation, condition, or behavior. For example, "After the treatment, doctors could observe a change in the patient's condition."

What's the difference between "observe a change" and "expect a change"?

"Observe a change" means to notice a difference that has already occurred, while "expect a change" means to anticipate that a difference will occur in the future. They describe different points in time and different levels of certainty.