record an observation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "record an observation" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts where you are documenting or noting down something you have seen or noticed. For example, "The scientist decided to record an observation about the behavior of the animals." Alternative expressions include "make a note of" and "document an observation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

It may therefore be worth while placing on record an observation made by me in 1907, when examining daily and closely a large quantity of sweet-peas.

Nature

I was paired with a wonderful woman named Beverly, who never laughed at me when I had trouble opening the gates or when I accidentally wrote on my face in an effort to quickly record an observation (don't ask me how, it just happened).

Duke University

Miniature temperature and relative humidity sensors and data loggers (iButton DS1923, Maxim Integrated, San Jose, CA, USA) were attached to the southern side of each tree at a height of around 150 cm and set to record an observation every hour.

AoB PLANTS

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

For each activity, observers recorded an observation session ID, observer ID, CRC ID, and time stamp measured to the nearest second.

Plosone

Information from these tools is recorded in a observation record form.

BMC Pediatrics

Informal ('grey') literature, including conference abstracts, volcano observatory reports and personal communications may record that an observation of deformation was made, but often lack any further description.

Journal of Applied Volcanology

What made referral particularly hard to assess was poor record keeping, an observation made in Ugandan and Tanzanian drug stores, as well as Ghanaian LCSs [ 22, 65, 67].

BMC Health Services Research

Sedation was recorded as an observation.

American Journal of Gastroenterology

These observations were recorded on an observation form designed following the WHO guidelines on the prevention of tuberculosis in healthcare facilities [ 18].

BMC Infectious Diseases

At that time, ADNI database consisted of 819 adults, aged 55 91 years, with CDR-SOB records for an observation period up to 4 years: 229 subjects were classified as NL, 397 as MCI, and 193 as AD at enrollment.

CPT: Pharmacometrics and Systems Pharmacology

Table Clinical in Figure 13 contains clinical observations about a given cow, made by a given veterinarian at a given time, recording a clinical observation such as joint infection by a code, here 38.

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "record an observation" in scientific writing, ensure the method of recording (e.g., manually, using a specific instrument) is clearly specified for reproducibility.

Common error

Don't simply state you "recorded an observation" without detailing how. Specify the tools, methods, and parameters used to ensure clarity and verifiability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "record an observation" functions as a verb phrase, where "record" is the verb indicating the action of documenting, and "an observation" is the noun phrase representing the object of that action. As indicated by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

Academia

20%

News & Media

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "record an observation" is a grammatically sound and acceptably common way to describe the act of documenting something noticed or perceived. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While appropriate across a range of contexts, from Science to News & Media, it is particularly suitable for scientific or formal settings. When using this phrase, ensure you provide enough detail about how the observation was recorded to maintain clarity and verifiability. Consider alternative phrases like ""note an observation"" or "document an observation" depending on the level of formality desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

note an observation

Replaces "record" with "note", implying a less formal method of documenting.

document an observation

Uses "document" instead of "record", suggesting a more formal and detailed account.

register an observation

Substitutes "record" with "register", indicating an official or systematic recording.

log an observation

Replaces "record" with "log", suggesting a chronological recording of events or data.

jot down an observation

Uses "jot down" instead of "record", implying a quick and informal note-taking.

take note of an observation

Rephrases the entire phrase to emphasize the act of paying attention and recording.

make a record of an observation

Adds "make a record" to the beginning, emphasizing the creation of a formal record.

capture an observation

Replaces "record" with "capture", suggesting preserving an observation as completely and accurately as possible.

put an observation on record

Reorders the phrase to emphasize the act of officially noting something.

set down an observation

Uses "set down" instead of "record", suggesting formally writing an observation.

FAQs

How can I use "record an observation" in a scientific context?

In scientific writing, use "record an observation" when documenting empirical data or notable events during experiments or fieldwork. Be specific about the methods used to "note an observation" and the conditions under which it was made.

What are some alternatives to "record an observation" in formal writing?

In formal contexts, you can use phrases like "document an observation", "register an observation", or "log an observation" to convey a sense of thoroughness and precision.

Is it appropriate to use "record an observation" in informal conversation?

While grammatically correct, "record an observation" might sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using simpler phrases like "take note of an observation" or "jot down an observation" for a more natural tone.

What's the difference between "record an observation" and "make an observation"?

"Make an observation" refers to the act of noticing or perceiving something, while "record an observation" refers to documenting or writing down what has been observed. You first "make an observation", then you might "record an observation" of it.