they observed that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they observed that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when reporting findings or conclusions drawn from observations in a formal or academic context. Example: "In their study, they observed that the participants showed significant improvement in their performance after the training."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They observed that the brightness of the beacon varied about 10percentt every 10 minutes.

The New York Times

The girls said they observed that their school field attracted up to 100 geese a day.

The New York Times

In their analysis they observed that certain types of bacteria called syntrophs had surprisingly stable populations.

Cornell University

They observed that while some areas of the benchwall remained intact, others had begun to crumble.

Cornell University

However, they observed that IEC proliferation was at least in part independent of c-Myc.

Nature

"They observed that volcanic ash grew cements to produce the tuff.

The Telegraph

Furthermore, they observed that autoprocessing of PIDD-C to PIDD-CC required the activity of Hsp9040.

Nature

They observed that incomplete demethylation patterns correlated with abnormal gene transcription in iPS cells.

Nature

But after they got good at doing it, they observed that the solutions were colored sort of a reddish yellow.

Yale University

They observed that Earth emits heat to space from the planet's surface as well as from the atmosphere.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

They observed that companies emit "information exhaust" that could be captured and used to "turbocharge" their offerings.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they observed that", ensure the observation is directly supported by evidence or data presented in your writing. This strengthens the credibility of your analysis.

Common error

Avoid repetitive use of "they observed that" within a single paragraph. Vary your sentence structure with alternatives like "they noted", "the study indicated", or simply integrate the observation into your narrative without explicit attribution each time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they observed that" functions as a reporting verb phrase used to introduce a statement of fact or finding. It serves to attribute an observation to a specific group (they), lending credibility to the subsequent statement. Ludwig AI confirms its proper use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

63%

News & Media

20%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they observed that" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase for reporting findings or observations. Ludwig AI confirms its proper use. It's most common in scientific and academic writing, conveying objectivity and attributing information to a specific source. While versatile, varying your sentence structure to avoid overuse is advisable. Alternatives include "they noted that" and "they found that", depending on the context. The high frequency and diverse applications underscore its importance in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they noted that

Emphasizes the act of making a note of something, often implying a formal record or acknowledgement.

they found that

Highlights the discovery aspect, suggesting an investigation or search that led to the finding.

they noticed that

Focuses on the act of becoming aware of something, often implying it was previously unnoticed.

they determined that

Suggests a process of reasoning or investigation that led to a conclusive determination.

they realized that

Implies a sudden understanding or awareness of something.

they discovered that

Highlights the uncovering of new information or a previously unknown fact.

they ascertained that

Indicates a careful and thorough investigation to confirm something.

they perceived that

Focuses on the subjective experience of noticing something through the senses or intuition.

it was observed that

Uses a passive voice construction to emphasize the observation rather than the observers.

it is worth noting that

Draws attention to a particular detail that is considered important or significant.

FAQs

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

Use "they observed that" to introduce a finding or conclusion made by researchers or subjects in a study. For example, "In their analysis, they observed that the new policy had a significant impact on employee morale."

What are some alternatives to "they observed that"?

You can use alternatives like "they noted that", "they found that", or "they discovered that" depending on the context.

Is "they observed that" formal or informal?

"They observed that" is generally considered a neutral to formal phrase suitable for academic, scientific, and professional writing.

What's the difference between "they observed that" and "they noticed that"?

"They observed that" implies a more deliberate and analytical observation, while "they noticed that" suggests a more casual or incidental awareness. The best choice depends on the specific context.