observing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "observing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of watching or monitoring something attentively. Example: "While observing the behavior of the animals, the researchers took detailed notes on their interactions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The sculptures were not an expression of the observed landscape but of the act of observing it.

The Guardian - Arts

Observing Kennedy at close quarters did not help to solve the mystery.

The Guardian - Opinion

She says it is possible to detect poor leadership simply by observing your organisation's environment: a room of employees experiencing poor leadership will look unhappy, demotivated, and unsure of what they are doing.

The Guardian

Here Henman is observing a grass-court tradition of which his forebears would be proud and which is the reason for his being such a threat at Wimbledon.

The Guardian - Sport

"I think I learned more about acting from observing her in that way.

The Guardian - Film

"Unfortunately a combination of the general proprieties of observing the secrecy of budget decisions, together with the difficulty of reaching senior levels of the Papua New Guinea government in the days before the budget prevented that from happening in the way we would have liked that to happen".

The Guardian

Lang looks on at a childhood world, seen from above and at a distance, not with the children but observing them.

The Guardian - Film

Observing her at work was a great opportunity to learn how to achieve goals.

The Guardian

Others, like Richard Long, do so simply by walking through the landscape and being and observing, encouraging us all to see better and be more fully present in the world.

The Guardian

In 2009, President Kikwete introduced him to Barack Obama, who was much taken by his dynamism, observing that he was the sort of politician likely to help transform the fortunes of the continent.

The Guardian

Related: Dominic Grieve: quitting ECHR could damage UK's constitution The dispute over UK membership "marks a potentially revolutionary turning point in a previously consistent national approach of building, observing and working within international obligations", he said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "observing", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you mean simply watching or conducting a more thorough examination. For more formal settings, "observing" is a good choice.

Common error

In casual conversation or informal writing, consider using simpler alternatives like "watching" or "seeing". Overusing "observing" can make your language sound unnecessarily stilted or formal.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "observing" is that of a verb, specifically the present participle form. As Ludwig AI indicates, it denotes the act of watching something attentively. Examples provided showcase its use in describing actions like watching landscapes or monitoring situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "observing" functions primarily as a verb, denoting the act of watching something attentively, often to gain information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and versatile. It appears most frequently in News & Media, with neutral register. When writing, while "observing" is acceptable, remember to consider the context and select the most appropriate word. Consider alternatives like "watching" or "noticing" for simpler contexts. By being mindful of these nuances, you can effectively use "observing" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

watching

Focuses on the act of looking at something, similar to "observing" but less formal.

noticing

Emphasizes becoming aware of something, whereas "observing" implies a more deliberate act.

detecting

Suggests discovering something not immediately obvious; "observing" can be more general.

monitoring

Implies regular or continuous observation, often for a specific purpose.

scrutinizing

Suggests a very careful and critical form of observation.

inspecting

Implies a detailed examination, typically to identify issues or ensure quality.

witnessing

Specifically refers to seeing an event take place, often with legal or formal implications.

viewing

A more formal or detached way of saying 'looking at'.

perceiving

Focuses on becoming aware of something through the senses, not just sight.

examining

Implies a detailed and methodical inspection, often for analytical purposes.

FAQs

How can I use "observing" in a sentence?

"Observing" can be used to describe the act of watching something carefully, like, "The scientist was observing the reaction in the lab". It can also mean adhering to a custom or law, such as, "They are "observing the holiday"".

What are some alternatives to "observing"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "watching", "noticing", "detecting", or "monitoring". The best choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "observing" instead of "watching"?

"Observing" is typically used when the act of watching involves careful attention and analysis. "Watching" is more general and can refer to casual viewing. If you are closely examining something, "observing" is the better choice.

Is "observing to" grammatically correct, or should I use "observing that"?

The phrase "observing that" is grammatically correct when introducing a statement or observation. "Observing to" is not a standard construction. For example, "She was "observing that the sky was cloudy"" is correct.