observers

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "observers" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to individuals who watch or monitor an event, situation, or phenomenon, often in a formal or scientific context. Example: "The observers noted the changes in behavior during the experiment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Close observers of his military say Syria is having trouble keeping its sophisticated and maintenance-intensive weapons functioning.

The New York Times

Nigeria's Transition Monitoring Group, which had observers across the country, said: "These issues did not systematically disadvantage any candidate or party".

The Guardian

Western observers have never deemed any Uzbek presidential or parliamentary election in the post-Soviet era to be free and fair.

The Guardian

He described the results as predictable for unbiased observers of Moscow's court proceedings.

The Guardian - Business

Some outside observers picked up on this peculiar form of pride – a kind of anti-nationalist nationalism – and gently mocked it: Timothy Garton Ash, for instance, spoke of Deutsche Industrie-Normen – a German industrial standard – in "coming to terms with the past"; others crowned the Germans "world champions in remembrance".

The Guardian - Opinion

This trend led many observers to believe that the Conservatives were on course to overtake Miliband's party.

The Guardian

They have to realise that the IRA's armed struggle is over.' Several of Trimble's closest allies were nervous and deeply uncertain about the IRA plan to put arms beyond use and allow international observers to monitor arms dumps.

The Guardian

In the year since the resignation of Progressive Unionist party leader Dawn Purvis, it has become depressingly clear among acute observers of Belfast's loyalist communities that the loyalist paramilitary UVF has been purposefully ratcheting up tensions among its youthful foot soldiers to show some muscle.

The Guardian - Opinion

Neutral observers with experience of covering her were also left bemused.

The Guardian

Other observers in the music industry are not so sanguine about the arrival of this international musical stew.

The Guardian - Music

Some real surprises this morning as the Bafta nominations were announced: observers were startled at the non-showing of Mike Leigh's superlative Mr Turner, not even in the best British film category, which found room for Paddington.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about groups monitoring elections or peace processes, use "observers" to denote neutrality and impartiality.

Common error

Avoid using "observers" when "participants" is more appropriate. "Observers" suggests a detached viewpoint, whereas "participants" indicates involvement.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "observers" is that of a plural noun. As a noun, it typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, referring to a group of individuals who are watching or monitoring something. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "observers" functions as a plural noun, commonly used in neutral to formal contexts. Its primary purpose is to denote individuals or groups who are watching or monitoring events, often with an implied sense of objectivity. As Ludwig AI highlights, its common usage in news and media underscores its relevance in conveying impartial viewpoints. While alternatives like "watchers" or "monitors" exist, "observers" remains a versatile and widely accepted term for describing individuals in a viewing or monitoring capacity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

watchers

This term is a general synonym referring to people who are observing something.

monitors

This term implies a more active role in observing, often to ensure compliance with rules or standards.

onlookers

This refers to people who are present at an event and watching it, often passively.

witnesses

This term is used when people observe an event, especially an accident or crime, and may be called upon to give testimony.

inspectors

This refers to people who are officially appointed to observe and check something, such as the quality of goods or services.

spectators

This term typically refers to people watching a performance or sporting event.

assessors

This term refers to individuals who evaluate or judge something based on their observations.

bystanders

This refers to people who are present at an event but are not directly involved.

analysts

This refers to individuals who closely examine data or situations to form an opinion or conclusion.

commentators

This refers to individuals who provide explanations or opinions about events, often in the media.

FAQs

What does "observers" mean?

The word "observers" refers to people who watch something, often to gain information. They might be watching an event, a situation, or a phenomenon.

How can I use "observers" in a sentence?

You can say, "International "monitors" acted as "observers" during the election to ensure fairness".

What are some words similar to "observers"?

Synonyms for "observers" include "watchers", "onlookers", "spectators", and "witnesses", each with slightly different connotations.

Is it correct to use "observers" in formal writing?

Yes, "observers" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in contexts where neutral or objective monitoring is implied. It is a common term in news reports, academic papers, and official documents.