observe for

USAGE SUMMARY

"observe for" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to watch out for or to look for something. For example, "Observe for hazardous road conditions when driving."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

I observe for some time.

The New York Times

The director wants to discover through the action, to observe for himself his characters' destiny.

The New Yorker

"They could observe for themselves firsthand what was going on in the tunnel.

The New York Times

Two Nigerian lawyers — Maryam Uwais and Mahmud Kazaure — attended Friday's hearing to observe for the family.

The New York Times

When a French baby cries in the night the parents go in, pause, and observe for a few minutes.

The Guardian - Books

I observe, for instance, that in its 50-year history the National has only ever done one play, Mary Stuart, by Schiller.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

We observe the observers observing for a few, and then chunk them the deuce.

Vice

Shiva will be observed for one week.

The New York Times

The trend was also observed for women of Hispanic descent.

The Guardian

A minute's silence was observed for Anton.

The Guardian - Sport

Phase separation is observed for intermediate stoichiometries.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "observe for", ensure the context clearly indicates what you are watching or monitoring for. This improves clarity and avoids ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

While "observe for" is acceptable, avoid overuse in formal contexts. Instead, diversify your writing by incorporating synonyms like "monitor", "detect", or "assess" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "observe for" functions as a verb phrase, where 'observe' is the verb indicating the act of watching, and 'for' introduces the purpose or the object of observation. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

31%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "observe for" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that means to watch something carefully in order to detect or notice something specific. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. As demonstrated by examples from The New York Times, The Guardian, and scientific journals, this phrase is versatile across a range of contexts, including news, science, and general communication. While perfectly acceptable, varying your vocabulary with synonyms such as "monitor for" or "detect for" can enhance the sophistication of your writing. Ensure clarity by specifying what you are "observing for" to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

monitor for

This alternative suggests a more systematic and regular observation.

watch out for

This phrase implies a need for caution and vigilance.

look out for

Similar to "watch out for", this emphasizes being alert to potential issues.

keep an eye on

This idiom suggests a continuous and careful observation.

be vigilant for

This alternative stresses the importance of alertness and attentiveness.

be alert for

Similar to 'be vigilant for', highlighting the need to be watchful.

scan for

This suggests a focused search for something specific.

check for

This alternative indicates a verification process.

track for

Implies following something's progress to observe changes.

detect for

This suggests the purpose is to discover something not immediately obvious.

FAQs

How can I use "observe for" in a sentence?

You can use "observe for" to indicate watching something to detect a specific occurrence, such as: "The doctor advised him to observe for any signs of infection".

What's a more formal alternative to "observe for"?

In more formal settings, you could use alternatives such as "monitor for" or "detect for" to convey a similar meaning with a slightly more elevated tone.

Is it correct to say "observe to" instead of "observe for"?

No, "observe to" is not a standard English construction. The correct phrasing is "observe for", which means to watch something in order to notice something.

What's the difference between "watch for" and "observe for"?

"Watch for" is generally used for more immediate and obvious occurrences, while "observe for" often implies a more detailed and careful monitoring over a period of time.