they noticed that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they noticed that" is correct and can be used in written English.
You could use it to describe a situation in which someone or multiple people noticed a particular thing. Example: They noticed that their car had a flat tire, so they decided to change it.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They noticed that loss of dopaminergic nigrostriatal neurons significantly decreased PDE10A mRNA levels in striatum.

EJNMMI Radiopharmacy and Chemistry

I think they noticed that as well.

The New York Times

They noticed that everytime the S.S.

The New Yorker

And by the way, they noticed that you skipped Israel.

The New York Times

They noticed that many nearby buildings didn't have three-bedrooms.

The New York Times

"They noticed that greenery can survive, that it's tough.

The New York Times

Specifically, they noticed that numerous buildings had storm drains that dumped water directly into sewers.

Yale University

They noticed that this works, but not via text message or e-mail.

Princeton University

They noticed that a few seconds before a rib broke, they detected tiny popping sounds.

The New York Times - Science

Then they noticed that studio and one-bedroom co-ops in Manhattan were within their budget.

The New York Times

Nine days later, they noticed that their response rates were much lower than LaCour and Green's.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they noticed that" to introduce an observation or a realization based on evidence or circumstances. It is effective for reporting findings or explaining actions taken based on observations.

Common error

While grammatically correct, avoid using "they noticed that" excessively in very casual writing. Simpler alternatives like "they saw" or "they realized" might be more appropriate for maintaining an informal tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they noticed that" functions as an introductory clause to report an observation, discovery, or realization made by a group of people. It sets the stage for presenting a finding or a change in understanding.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

17%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they noticed that" serves as a versatile phrase, frequently employed across diverse contexts, especially in news, academic, and scientific writing. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and suitability for reporting observations or realizations. While simpler alternatives exist for informal settings, "they noticed that" remains a reliable and widely understood way to introduce a discovery or shift in understanding. The prevalence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its acceptance in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they found that

A simpler and more direct way of saying they discovered.

they became aware that

Directly states the gaining of awareness.

they observed that

Replaces "noticed" with "observed", implying a more formal or scientific observation.

they discovered that

Suggests a more active finding out of information.

they realized that

Focuses on the understanding or comprehension aspect of noticing.

they understood that

Highlights the comprehension aspect of the information.

they perceived that

Implies a sensory or intuitive understanding.

they recognized that

Implies a prior knowledge or expectation that leads to the recognition.

they ascertained that

Implies a careful and deliberate finding out of information.

it came to their attention that

A more formal and passive way of saying they became aware.

FAQs

How can I use "they noticed that" in a sentence?

Use "they noticed that" to report an observation or realization made by a group of people. For example, "They noticed that the plants were wilting, so they watered them."

What's a simpler way to say "they noticed that"?

You can use phrases like "they saw that", "they realized that", or "they found that" as simpler alternatives.

Is "they noticed that" formal or informal?

"They noticed that" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although simpler alternatives might be preferred in very casual writing.

How does "they noticed that" compare to "they observed that"?

"They observed that" is a more formal alternative to "they noticed that", often used in scientific or academic writing to emphasize a careful and deliberate observation.