was observed by

USAGE SUMMARY

"was observed by" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are describing something that was noticed or witnessed by someone. For example, "The unusual behavior of the animal was observed by the researcher."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The regenerated skin was observed by three trained observers.

Nanoscale Research Letters

"Kultura was observed by Polish agents.

Stanford University

Prostate involution reversal was observed by means of T replacement35.

Nature

Minimal toxicity was observed by light microscopy at 8 h.

Nature

The sample's fracture was observed by SEM.

Composites Part B: Engineering

No damage was observed by TEM.

Carbon

The meeting was observed by Malaysian intelligence agents who later alerted the Central Intelligence Agency.

The New York Times

This was observed by a small, sad, unemployed man, who was slowly passing.

The New Yorker

Recently when he did this he was observed by three males.

The New York Times

The crystal morphology of calcite was observed by SEM.

Computational Materials Science

The scaffolds structure was observed by scanning electron microscope.

Polymer Testing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was observed by", ensure clarity by specifying the method or instrument used for observation, particularly in technical contexts. For example: "The cell structure was observed by electron microscopy."

Common error

Avoid using "was observed by" excessively, as too much passive voice can make your writing sound vague and impersonal. Consider switching to active voice where appropriate to improve clarity and engagement, such as "Researchers observed the effect".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was observed by" functions as a passive voice construction. It indicates that an action (observation) was performed on a subject by an agent. Ludwig examples confirm its use in describing how observations are made or findings are reported.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

88%

Academia

7%

News & Media

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was observed by" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction. Ludwig AI confirms its use across diverse domains, particularly in science, academia, and news. Its purpose is to report observations while maintaining objectivity, making it suitable for formal writing. While synonyms such as "was noticed by" and "was detected by" offer alternatives, it's crucial to consider the context and intended emphasis. Avoid overusing passive voice to maintain clarity and engagement in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was noticed by

Simple synonym replacing "observed" with "noticed", implying a slightly less formal context.

was seen by

A direct and straightforward alternative, suitable for informal contexts.

was detected by

Emphasizes the use of instruments or methods to find or identify something.

was witnessed by

Highlights the act of seeing an event, often implying direct visual confirmation.

was identified by

Indicates the act of recognizing or establishing the identity of something.

was found by

Suggests a less intentional discovery, more akin to stumbling upon something.

was discovered by

Implies finding something new or previously unknown.

was monitored by

Focuses on the ongoing tracking and observation of something over time.

came to the attention of

A more formal alternative suggesting that something was brought to someone's notice.

was inspected by

Implies a careful and detailed examination.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "was observed by" to use active voice?

You can rephrase "was observed by" in the active voice by making the observer the subject of the sentence. For example, instead of "The reaction was observed by the scientist", you can say "The scientist observed the reaction".

What are some synonyms for "was observed by"?

Some synonyms for "was observed by" include "was noticed by", "was detected by", "was witnessed by", and "was seen by". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "was observed by"?

While "was observed by" is grammatically correct, the choice between active and passive voice depends on the desired emphasis. Passive voice emphasizes the object being observed, while active voice emphasizes the observer. Use active voice for direct, clear statements unless the object is more important.

When is it appropriate to use "was observed by" in scientific writing?

"Was observed by" is appropriate in scientific writing when describing experimental results or findings where the emphasis is on the phenomenon or result rather than the researcher's action. It maintains a level of objectivity expected in scientific reports.