observing something closely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "observing something closely" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the act of paying careful attention to details or monitoring something with great scrutiny. Example: "The scientist spent hours observing something closely to gather accurate data for her research."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Then they observed something more.

The New Yorker

"Through the years, she had to say something, observe something.

The New York Times - Sports

I might observe something about the woman.

Huffington Post

This discovery moment is an experience about being and becoming or something closely related to that.

BMC Palliative Care

I think the Taliban is observing #ISIS closely + planning.

The Guardian

"I feel like my best chance to make a good movie is to make a movie from this position of something I have closely observed and closely felt and feel deeply in love with and confused by," said Mills.

Los Angeles Times

Christo finds himself taking long walks and observing the geese closely for the first time.

The New Yorker

Bush boyish, exuberant, said he had been observing Mr. Reagan closely the last few days.

The New Yorker

She knows every plant in this garden, observing closely when one succeeds and another fails.

The New York Times

Observe something in minute detail.

WikiHow

I observe them closely.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "observing something closely" to emphasize the level of detail and attention being paid to a subject. It's suitable when careful scrutiny is essential.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "observing something closely" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "watching carefully" or "keeping an eye on" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "observing something closely" functions as a verb phrase, typically acting as the predicate of a clause. It describes the action of carefully watching or scrutinizing something. Ludwig AI says that the phrase is correct.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "observing something closely" is a grammatically correct way to describe meticulous attention to detail. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While versatile, it's important to consider the context and audience, opting for simpler alternatives in very informal situations. It's suited for scenarios where thorough scrutiny and careful observation are paramount.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Watching something intently

Emphasizes focused visual attention.

Examining something carefully

Highlights a thorough and detailed investigation.

Scrutinizing something thoroughly

Implies a critical and detailed inspection.

Monitoring something meticulously

Suggests regular and precise observation over time.

Studying something in detail

Focuses on learning through close observation.

Keeping a close watch on something

Indicates continuous and careful surveillance.

Paying close attention to something

Highlights the act of giving focused mental awareness.

Inspecting something minutely

Emphasizes attention to the smallest details.

Surveying something attentively

Suggests a broad but careful overview.

Analyzing something precisely

Focuses on breaking down and understanding something with accuracy.

FAQs

How can I use "observing something closely" in a sentence?

You can use "observing something closely" to describe someone paying careful attention to details. For example, "The scientist was "watching something intently", observing its reactions closely".

What are some alternatives to "observing something closely"?

Alternatives include "examining something carefully", "scrutinizing something thoroughly", or "monitoring something meticulously", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "observing something closely" formal or informal?

"Observing something closely" is relatively neutral, but leans towards the formal side. Simpler options like "watching carefully" are more appropriate for informal contexts.

What's the difference between "observing something closely" and "observing something carefully"?

While similar, "observing something closely" suggests a higher degree of focus and attention to detail than "observing something carefully". The former implies scrutiny of minute aspects.