start observing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "start observing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when instructing someone to begin paying attention to or monitoring something. Example: "To improve your skills, you should start observing how experienced professionals handle similar tasks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

He is essentially a thinker and an observer and if you make too much noise as an observer it kills it as people start observing you".

The Guardian - Books

Still, it took some even longer to start observing the holiday.

The New York Times

Mr. Sharon explained that, if elected, he would start observing the Sabbath.

The New York Times

They had to start observing once-a-week phone contact, per N.C.A.A. regulations.

The New York Times - Sports

"When I come across people who say it's possible to re-green two billion hectares, I start observing the clouds".

The New Yorker

(c) Someone who will now start observing his or her spouse's or co-workers' behavior, rolling his or her eyes and muttering, "Typical cisgender".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

Regardless of where you start, observe as much as you can of how the business of managing talent works.

WikiHow

If you have no idea where to start observe happy-go-lucky people and follow their examples.

WikiHow

The first of the three observed transits occurred only days after Kepler started observing.

Science Magazine

Then Pat started observing the work in Ramachandran's lab.

The New Yorker

By midnight, when they started observing, the sky had turned unfriendly.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to improve their skills, use "start observing" to encourage them to actively pay attention to experienced professionals or specific processes. For example: "To improve your skills, you should "start observing" how experienced professionals handle similar tasks".

Common error

While "start observing" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "begin to analyze" or "initiate scrutiny" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "start observing" functions primarily as an imperative phrase, used to instruct or advise someone to begin paying attention to something. As Ludwig AI explains, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

39%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "start observing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that serves to instruct or advise someone to begin paying attention. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for a variety of contexts, from improving skills to scientific monitoring. While versatile, be mindful of its potential overuse in highly formal writing, where alternatives like "begin to analyze" might be more appropriate. The phrase is prevalent in news, scientific, and wiki sources, indicating its broad acceptability and utility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

start monitoring

Direct synonym, emphasizes a systematic approach.

begin to observe

Uses 'begin' instead of 'start', slightly more formal.

begin watching

More casual, focuses on visual observation.

commence observation

More formal and emphasizes the act of observing.

start paying attention

Emphasizes directing focus to something.

commence watching

More formal, focuses on visual observation.

initiate monitoring

Focuses on a systematic approach to observing.

start to notice

Focuses on becoming aware of something.

begin noticing

Similar to 'start to notice', slightly more formal.

initiate scrutiny

Implies a careful and detailed observation.

FAQs

How can I use "start observing" in a sentence?

You can use "start observing" to instruct someone to begin paying attention to something, as in, "To improve your social skills, "start observing" how confident people interact in social settings."

What can I say instead of "start observing"?

You can use alternatives like "begin to observe", "commence observation", or "start monitoring" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "start observing" or "begin observing"?

Both ""start observing"" and "begin observing" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably, although "start observing" is slightly more common.

What's the difference between "start observing" and "start analyzing"?

"Start observing" implies a general act of paying attention, while "start analyzing" suggests a more in-depth and structured examination.