vigilantly watching

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "vigilantly watching" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing someone who is observing something carefully and attentively, often to ensure safety or to monitor a situation. Example: "The security guard was vigilantly watching the entrance to prevent any unauthorized access."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

But Ms. Fox, still vigilantly watching the nest, is hopeful.

The New York Times

Tough luck: your government is vigilantly watching over your security and prosperity.

The Guardian - Opinion

In a Paris park, Dominique, 42, sat on a bench vigilantly watching the people coming and going around her.

The Guardian

The two brothers stood for hours on end at the back of the courtroom last week, vigilantly watching for any sign that their sister's killer might crumble yet again — robbing them once more of resolution in a criminal case that has dragged on for five years.

The New York Times

"Rest well 26K2; we know you will be vigilantly watching over RJ and the rest of us from Heaven".

Los Angeles Times

What I remembered most was the Wall, the barbed wire, the soldiers vigilantly watching to prevent escapes from east to west, and the drabness of the Soviet sector.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Only the oil and gas fields, hidden behind wire fences and vigilantly watched over by the Yemeni military, seem to merit the government's attention.

The New York Times - Magazine

Ever since last week's news stories began to appear in the Guardian, Snowden has vigilantly watched TV and read the internet to see the effects of his choices.

The Guardian

The site keeps the list of its most active pages updated itself, in part so it knows which pages need to be vigilantly watched, but they have been assembled into a useful graph by designer Ramiro Gómez.

Independent

BEIJING — Dressed in a new crimson windbreaker, a red cap and an armband emblazoned with "Capital Public Security Patrol," Gao Fengping sat in a child-sized pink chair and vigilantly watched the midday bustle of a narrow back street.

The New York Times

This state of invisibility and hyper-visibility ― of being constantly and vigilantly watched and yet never truly seen ― is one Edmonds identifies with.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "vigilantly watching" to describe situations where careful and attentive observation is crucial, especially for safety or security purposes. For example, "The lifeguard was vigilantly watching the swimmers to ensure their safety."

Common error

Avoid using "vigilantly watching" in informal settings where simpler terms like "watching closely" or "paying attention" would suffice. Overusing it can make your language sound overly formal or stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vigilantly watching" functions as a gerund phrase, often used to describe an ongoing action performed with alertness and careful attention. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, as demonstrated in the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Vigilantly watching" is a gerund phrase that effectively conveys careful and attentive observation, often with an emphasis on safety or security. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While relatively rare in overall usage, as seen in the limited examples, it is commonly found in news and media contexts. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "carefully observing" or "attentively monitoring", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Be mindful of overusing the phrase in casual contexts, where simpler language may be more appropriate. Although usage can be frequent in specific contexts, such as news articles, the term isn't universally popular.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

carefully observing

Replaces "vigilantly watching" with a more straightforward description of the act of observing.

attentively monitoring

Emphasizes the act of monitoring with focused attention.

closely supervising

Highlights the act of overseeing with great care.

keeping a sharp lookout

Uses idiomatic language to convey careful watching for potential issues.

maintaining a watchful eye

Emphasizes the continuous nature of the observation.

assiduously observing

Replaces "vigilantly" with a more formal synonym.

intently observing

Highlights the intense focus during observation.

observing with scrutiny

Focuses on the detailed and critical aspect of the observation.

keenly observing

Emphasizes the sharpness and attentiveness of the observation.

meticulously observing

Focuses on the precision and thoroughness of the observation.

FAQs

How can I use "vigilantly watching" in a sentence?

You can use "vigilantly watching" to describe someone who is carefully observing something, often to ensure safety or security. For example: "The security guard was "vigilantly watching" the entrance."

What are some alternatives to "vigilantly watching"?

Alternatives include "carefully observing", "attentively monitoring", or "closely supervising", depending on the context.

Is "vigilantly watching" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "vigilantly watching" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when describing a situation that requires careful and attentive observation. However, be mindful of overuse and consider simpler alternatives when appropriate.

What's the difference between "vigilantly watching" and "carefully observing"?

"Vigilantly watching" implies a higher degree of alertness and intent to prevent something negative from happening, while "carefully observing" simply means paying close attention.