observe closely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "observe closely" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when instructing someone to pay careful attention to something or to watch it in detail. Example: "In order to understand the behavior of the species, you must observe closely during the experiment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

But San Francisco certified their tallies shortly after volunteers learned about the problem, and SF vote observers had experienced thwarted efforts to observe closely enough to catch it even if they were able to figure out NPP voters were being deprived of their vote for president.

Huffington Post

Nabil Fahmy, Egypt's ambassador to Washington, said that the Arab world would support Iraq's disarmament under the aegis of the United Nations Charter, but that most nations would observe closely whether there was a sincere effort to undertake the disarmament "peacefully".

The New York Times

If you observe closely you'll see that she's pointing to objects in the room – the examination couch, a lamp, a sharps bin – then instead of focussing on them directly, she parts her fingers and this increases the size of the image for her.' 'Can we go in?' Busner asked.

The Guardian - Books

He was bright, quick-witted, with a ready apprehension of the things around him and an ability to observe closely, so that, for instance, when I placed a crab, a scorpion, and a spider on a tray before him he was able instantly to discern the relationship between them and apply the correct family, genus, and species names I'd taught him.

The New Yorker

The approach uses three simple questions to push students to observe closely and build on what their classmates say: At the end of the discussion, ask the students in class if they can identify which painting best reflects characteristics of medieval art, and which early Renaissance.

The New York Times

She gets to observe closely, and even participate in, this debate as it plays out among more senior folks, she adds.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

She knows every plant in this garden, observing closely when one succeeds and another fails.

The New York Times

"How else could you stop loneliness?" Gunn observes closely and knits the reader in.

The New York Times - Books

The sting, however, gradually lessens without quite becoming a caress; it begins to feel like a way of observing closely.

The New Yorker

A few species, in several subfamilies, have been observed closely, and some generalizations are possible.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The earth has been heavily churned by horses and out on the raised land ahead we're observed closely by one in a winter jacket.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing instructions or describing a process, use "observe closely" to encourage readers to pay careful attention to specific details that might otherwise be overlooked.

Common error

Avoid using "observe closely" to imply mere passive watching. Ensure the context suggests active engagement and detailed attention to facilitate understanding or action, rather than simply seeing without processing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "observe closely" primarily functions as a verb phrase, acting as an instruction or recommendation to pay careful attention to something. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in various contexts, from scientific studies to everyday situations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "observe closely" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that instructs someone to pay careful attention to detail. According to Ludwig, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and formal communications. While it's not the most frequent phrase, it carries a neutral to formal tone and encourages active, engaged observation. Alternative phrases like "watch attentively" or "monitor carefully" can be used depending on the desired nuance. Remember to use this phrase to encourage active engagement rather than passive viewing. Ludwig provides examples and insights to help you use this phrase effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

watch attentively

Replaces "observe" with "watch" and "closely" with "attentively", focusing on visual attention with care.

monitor carefully

Shifts the focus to ongoing supervision with attention to detail.

scrutinize meticulously

Emphasizes a detailed and critical examination.

examine thoroughly

Highlights the comprehensive nature of the investigation.

study intently

Focuses on concentrated learning and observation.

keep a close watch

Indicates continuous and careful observation.

pay close attention

Emphasizes the act of giving focused awareness.

follow meticulously

Highlights the meticulous nature of the observation.

inspect rigorously

Shifts focus to strict and thorough examination.

track precisely

Focuses on monitoring with accuracy and precision.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "observe closely" in a sentence?

Use "observe closely" when you want to emphasize the importance of paying detailed attention to something. For example: "To understand the nuances of their behavior, we must observe closely how they interact with each other."

What are some alternatives to using "observe closely"?

You can use alternatives like "watch attentively", "monitor carefully", or "scrutinize meticulously" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "observe closely" and "watch carefully"?

While both phrases suggest paying attention, "observe closely" often implies a more scientific or analytical approach, whereas "watch carefully" can be more general. However, they are often interchangeable.

In what contexts is "observe closely" most appropriate?

"Observe closely" is suitable in contexts where detailed examination and analysis are important, such as scientific experiments, behavioral studies, or detailed inspections.