to watch for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to watch for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone should be alert or attentive to something specific that may happen or appear. Example: "During the presentation, be sure to watch for any changes in the speaker's tone that might indicate their level of confidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's something to watch for.

The New York Times

What to watch for.

Cornell University

Clues to watch for?

The New York Times

Teachers were told to watch for seizures.

The New Yorker

Reporters were wise to watch for themselves.

Independent

lawyers - one to watch for.

Columbia University

Here's what to watch for.

The Guardian - Sport

OS Incompatibilities: Special cases to watch for.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

She cannot bear to watch for long.

The New York Times - Sports

We need to watch for that.

The New Yorker

Here's what to watch for in 2018.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing instructions, "to watch for" can help specify what details or changes someone should pay attention to during a process. For instance, "While baking, "to watch for" the edges turning golden brown."

Common error

Avoid using "to watch for" when you mean merely to observe without any anticipation or expectation of something specific. Instead, use "to watch" or "to observe". For example, instead of saying "I'm going to watch for the sunset", say "I'm going to watch the sunset" if you're simply observing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to watch for" functions as an infinitive indicating anticipation or alertness. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across diverse sources. It prompts one to be observant and attentive to particular signs, occurrences, or potential issues.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

23%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to watch for" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to direct attention towards specific signs or events, often with an element of anticipation or caution. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, ranging from news and media to academic and informal settings. Alternative phrases such as "to look out for", "to keep an eye out for", and "to be vigilant for" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to use "to watch for" when advising someone to be alert for specific indicators, and avoid using it when you simply mean to observe without any particular expectation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be vigilant for

Replaces "watch" with "be vigilant", emphasizing a state of alertness.

to keep an eye out for

Uses the idiom "keep an eye out" to convey watching and being alert.

to look out for

Employs "look out" suggesting caution and observation.

to be on the lookout for

Replaces "watch" with "be on the lookout", stressing active searching.

to remain attentive to

Shifts focus to maintaining attention towards something.

to observe closely

Highlights careful observation instead of just watching.

to pay attention to

Focuses on giving importance and noticing something.

to be mindful of

Implies being aware and cautious of something.

to monitor

Indicates a continuous and systematic observation.

to be aware of

Emphasizes the knowledge and consciousness of something.

FAQs

How can I use "to watch for" in a sentence?

You can use "to watch for" when you want to instruct someone to be alert to specific signs or events. For example, "During the experiment, be sure "to watch for" any changes in color."

What's the difference between "to watch for" and "to look out for"?

"To watch for" and "to look out for" are very similar, both suggesting vigilance. However, "to watch for" is often used for expected or predicted events, while "to look out for" often implies potential dangers or unexpected issues.

What are some alternatives to "to watch for" that I can use in writing?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "to keep an eye out for", "to be vigilant for", or "to remain attentive to".

Is "to watch for" formal or informal?

"To watch for" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Its suitability depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure.