observe the progress

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "observe the progress" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to monitoring or watching the advancement or development of a project, task, or situation. Example: "During the meeting, we will take some time to observe the progress of the ongoing project and discuss any necessary adjustments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

The doctors and nurses were not there to cure, but to observe the progress of untreated syphilis.

The Economist

And for the first time we'll be able to observe the progress because, as I write, a groundbreaking family planning data-collection project is just beginning.

The New York Times

The first place to produce HeLa samples on an industrial scale was the Tuskegee Institute where, at the same time, syphilitic black men were left untreated so doctors could observe the progress of the disease.

The Economist

They check on the state of her health and her morale, observe the progress (or lack thereof) of repairs to her handsome double-shotgun house and accompany her on her daily routines.

The New York Times

It could be argued that the Uganda research, part of a larger study of sexually transmitted diseases among 15,127 people, was an opportunity for scientists to observe the progress and spread of a deadly disease so they could better know how to prevent it in the future.

The New York Times

Calatrava arrived in Liège as evening was falling, and so, before going to observe the progress that had been made on his station since the last time he was there, a few weeks earlier, he and Bourlard went straight to dinner at a contemporary Italian restaurant set in a pretty courtyard garden.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Consistent with this result, classic subcutaneous IVM tumor models routinely use nude mice in part because of several key advantages: i) enables implantation of a wide variety of tumor spheroids and tissues of different strains and species and ii) their abundant and hairless skin makes it easier to implant the titanium window chambers and observe the progressing tumors.

F1000Research

That is why measuring the volume of plaque in artery walls can be so important to observing the progress of heart disease, he added.

The New York Times

Seated at an outdoor table at the club last Sunday evening, Ms. Oswald tucked into a plate of rare roast beef with gratinéed potatoes and observed the progress into the club.

The New York Times - Style

10×-power magnification microscopes were used in observing the progress of the grinding.

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

In the experiment, we observed the progress of the operator response to the warning provided by the proposed system.

ROBOMECH Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "observe the progress", consider the context. It's suitable for situations where you are passively watching or monitoring something develop. For more active involvement, consider alternatives like "monitor" or "track".

Common error

Avoid using "observe the progress" when you are actively influencing the outcome. If you are directly involved in managing or accelerating the progress, use terms like "manage the progress" or "drive the progress" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "observe the progress" primarily functions as a verb phrase. It acts as the predicate in a sentence, indicating the action of watching or monitoring the development of something. This aligns with Ludwig's assessment that the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

32%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "observe the progress" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase that communicates the action of monitoring or tracking development, is confirmed by Ludwig. Its usage spans various contexts, from formal business settings to scientific research, with a neutral register. When choosing this phrase, consider the level of involvement; if actively influencing the outcome, alternative phrases may be more appropriate. Related phrases like "monitor the advancement" or "track the development" offer similar meanings with slight nuances. The phrase appears frequently in authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Economist, highlighting its reliability and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

monitor the advancement

Replaces 'progress' with 'advancement' and 'observe' with 'monitor', implying a more active form of watching.

track the development

Substitutes 'progress' with 'development' and 'observe' with 'track', suggesting a focus on recording changes over time.

follow the evolution

Changes 'progress' to 'evolution' and 'observe' to 'follow', implying a gradual unfolding or transformation.

watch the growth

Replaces 'progress' with 'growth' and 'observe' with 'watch', focusing on the increase or expansion.

witness the unfolding

Substitutes 'observe the progress' with a more dramatic 'witness the unfolding', indicating a significant event or revelation.

note the forward movement

Changes 'progress' to 'forward movement' and 'observe' to 'note', providing a more descriptive and literal alternative.

keep an eye on the headway

Replaces 'observe the progress' with 'keep an eye on the headway', using a more idiomatic and informal expression.

assess the ongoing changes

Substitutes 'observe' with 'assess' and 'progress' with 'ongoing changes', suggesting a more evaluative approach.

scrutinize the evolution

Changes 'observe' to 'scrutinize' to suggest a more detailed and critical examination of how something evolves.

peruse the advancement

Replaces 'observe' with 'peruse', suggesting a careful and thorough reading of updates related to advancement.

FAQs

How can I use "observe the progress" in a sentence?

You can use "observe the progress" when referring to monitoring or watching the advancement or development of a project, task, or situation. For example: "During the meeting, we will take some time to "observe the progress" of the ongoing project and discuss any necessary adjustments."

What can I say instead of "observe the progress"?

You can use alternatives like "monitor the advancement", "track the development", or "follow the evolution" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "observe the progress" or "monitor the progress"?

Both "observe the progress" and "monitor the progress" are correct, but "monitor" implies a more active and consistent form of watching, while "observe" suggests a more passive observation.

What's the difference between "observe the progress" and "note the progress"?

"Observe the progress" implies a more general awareness and tracking of changes, while "note the progress" suggests a specific recording or acknowledgment of advancement. "Note" emphasizes recognition and documentation.