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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
observed to be
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "observed to be" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has been noticed or seen. For example, "The teacher observed the student to be struggling with the assignment."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Formal & Business
Alternative expressions(20)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
Such activity on the surface of the ice sheet has been observed to be growing.
News & Media
Here was a voice, as the poet Jean Grosjean observed, "to be listened to with the most serious attention".
News & Media
Thus, CLIR is observed to be scalable.
Degree of carboxylation was observed to be 36%.
The reaction was observed to be mass transfer limited.
Science
The discrepancies were observed to be less than 8%.
Science
Furthermore, the compounds are observed to be irreversible inhibitors.
Dried films were observed to be hard and glassy.
Science
The TNP was observed to be the inhibitory compound.
These effects were observed to be independent of soil type.
The interface is observed to be atomically sharp.
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "observed to be" when you want to convey that something has been noticed or detected through observation, often implying a degree of objectivity or impartiality. Be sure to follow it with an adjective or a descriptive phrase that clarifies what was observed.
Common error
While "observed to be" is grammatically sound, excessive use of passive voice can make your writing sound weak or indirect. Consider rewriting sentences in the active voice when possible to improve clarity and impact. For example, instead of "The results were observed to be significant", try "Researchers observed that the results were significant".
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.6/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "observed to be" functions as a linking verb phrase connecting a subject to a descriptive adjective or a predicate nominative. It expresses a state or condition that has been noted through observation, as illustrated by Ludwig's examples.
Frequent in
Science
74%
News & Media
20%
Formal & Business
3%
Less common in
Academia
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "observed to be" is a versatile linking verb phrase used to describe something noticed through observation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability across various domains. It is commonly used in science and news to express objective findings. While grammatically sound, consider varying sentence structure to avoid overuse of the passive voice. Alternatives such as "noticed to be" or "found to be" can provide subtle shifts in meaning.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
noticed to be
Emphasizes the act of noticing something, highlighting the observer's awareness.
seen to be
Focuses on the visual aspect of observation, suggesting that something is visibly apparent.
found to be
Indicates a discovery or finding through investigation or analysis.
determined to be
Implies a formal or official decision or conclusion about something.
ascertained to be
Suggests a careful and thorough investigation to confirm the nature of something.
revealed to be
Highlights the uncovering of something that was previously hidden or unknown.
shown to be
Indicates that something has been demonstrated or proven through evidence.
discovered to be
Focuses on the element of surprise or unexpectedness in the observation.
considered to be
Implies a judgment or evaluation based on subjective criteria.
deemed to be
Suggests an official or authoritative assessment of something.
FAQs
How can I use "observed to be" in a sentence?
You can use "observed to be" to describe something that has been noticed or seen. For example, "The planet's atmosphere was observed to be highly turbulent."
What are some alternatives to "observed to be"?
You can use alternatives like "noticed to be", "seen to be", or "found to be" depending on the context.
Is "observed to be" formal or informal?
"Observed to be" is generally considered neutral to formal. It's suitable for academic, scientific, or professional writing where objectivity is important.
What's the difference between "observed to be" and "considered to be"?
"Observed to be" implies that something has been noticed or detected through observation, while "considered to be" suggests that something is being judged or evaluated based on subjective criteria.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.6/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested