was able to observe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was able to observe" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation where someone successfully noticed or witnessed something. Example: "During the experiment, the scientist was able to observe the reaction between the chemicals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Dr Zhang was able to observe these by illuminating it.

The Economist

"I made a U-turn and I was able to observe a squeeze bottle," Captain Murtaugh said.

The New York Times

In each of these situations I was able to observe and learn how differently creativity can be valued.

The Guardian

Ms. Zaloom's first stop was Chicago, where she was able to observe the action firsthand as a clerk.

The New York Times - Arts

Also amazing was, laying there on my gut, I was able to observe very slowly some grass, on a blade basis!

The New Yorker

By doing this I was able to observe swimming activity of the small-spotted catshark (Scyliorhinus canicula) in response to specific protocols of changing pressure.

The Guardian

"Nonetheless, I was able to observe many things that I found extraordinarily interesting, for example, detecting the fishes' territory and guessing at their various defensive reactions".

The New York Times - Books

So now the court turned into a not enjoyable party, at which one was able to observe more closely certain personalities of the trial.

The New Yorker

Stubbs also painted a wide variety of other animals, including the lion, tiger, giraffe, monkey, and rhinoceros, which he was able to observe in private menageries.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Lockyer, using a powerful new spectrograph at the University of Cambridge, was able to observe the yellow line in a prominence outside a solar eclipse.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And the older I got the more I was able to observe the way they lived their lives and the more I was convinced that there was something very amiss there.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was able to observe", ensure that the context clearly indicates what was observed and under what circumstances. This provides clarity and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid pairing "was able to observe" with weak verbs that don't add substantial meaning. Choose stronger verbs to describe the action witnessed, such as "witnessed", "detected", or "identified", for greater impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was able to observe" functions as a verb phrase indicating the ability or capacity to perceive something. It highlights that someone had the opportunity or means to witness or notice something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

24%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was able to observe" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to indicate the ability or opportunity to perceive something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, appearing most commonly in news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources. When using this phrase, clarity can be enhanced by specifying what was observed. Consider alternatives such as "managed to observe" or "could observe" to add nuance to your writing. Avoid overuse with weak verbs to maintain impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

managed to observe

Emphasizes the successful effort in observing.

could observe

Indicates the possibility or permission to observe.

had the opportunity to observe

Highlights the chance or occasion to observe.

was in a position to observe

Focuses on the favorable circumstances for observing.

was capable of observing

Stresses the inherent ability to observe.

was permitted to observe

Highlights that permission was granted to observe something.

was allowed to observe

Similar to 'was permitted', emphasizing authorization.

was given the chance to observe

Highlights receiving the opportunity to observe.

was fortunate enough to observe

Emphasizes luck or good fortune in being able to observe.

found it possible to observe

Focuses on the feasibility of observing something.

FAQs

How can I use "was able to observe" in a sentence?

Use "was able to observe" to describe a situation where someone successfully perceived or witnessed something. For example: "The scientist was able to observe the reaction under controlled conditions."

What are some alternatives to "was able to observe"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "managed to observe", "could observe", or "had the opportunity to observe".

Is it always necessary to specify what "was able to observe"?

While not always mandatory, specifying what was observed provides clarity and context. Omitting it can sometimes lead to vagueness or ambiguity.

What's the difference between "was able to observe" and "observed"?

"Was able to observe" emphasizes the capacity or opportunity to observe, whereas "observed" is a more direct statement of the act of observation. The former implies a condition that enabled the observation.