watch attentively

USAGE SUMMARY

"watch attentively" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to pay close attention while observing something. Example: The students were told to watch attentively as the teacher demonstrated a chemistry experiment.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The studio is crowded with dancers and an audience of Ailey administrators and supporters, including Ms. Jamison, who watch attentively as Mr. Rushing, in a gray hoodie, black sweat pants and bedroom booties, coaches the dancers: "There are no counts.

The New York Times - Arts

A tall, gregarious 30-year-old, Mr. Barnette carves the meat in the yard while two dogs watch attentively, kids sprint around a gigantic garden nearly trampling young fava beans, and women in sundresses discuss the benefit of drinking tequila straight: no hangover.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Among the paintings he admitted alluding to was Giorgione's Fête Champêtre but it's the contrast with another Giorgione work, La Tempesta, that's most striking: in that, a young man by a tree-lined river watches attentively as a half-naked woman breastfeeds her infant; in Manet, the attention being paid is to the unseen viewer.

The Guardian - Arts

It was exchanged for another piece of melon while the headwaiter stood by & watched attentively.

The New Yorker

On this evening, Nikki Player and Charlotte Abbott, Williamsburg residents in their 20s, watched attentively.

The New York Times

Whatever his plans, Mr. Sharpton is being watched attentively by the other mayoral candidates.

The New York Times

He and his partner, Rick Heathe, watched attentively as the digging proceeded.

The New York Times

Mr. Sharpton watched attentively as Mrs. Clinton made her way through her remarks, frequently departing from her prepared text.

The New York Times

On the fourth afternoon Maddy got what she wanted: a large white-tip that smoothed past us watching attentively.

The Guardian - Travel

Jackson, a 31-year classroom veteran, was teaching the mathematics of ratios to a group of inner-city seventh graders while 15 young teachers watched attentively.

The New York Times

Those watching attentively know that Nadia makes only minor wardrobe adjustments for her 36th birthday bash, given by her aggressively fashionable friend Maxine (Greta Lee).

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "watch attentively" when you want to emphasize that someone is not just passively observing, but actively focusing their attention.

Common error

Avoid constructing sentences where the subject is unclear or the action of watching is downplayed. Instead of "The game was watched attentively by the fans", write "The fans watched the game attentively".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "watch attentively" functions as a verb-adverb construction, where the verb "watch" denotes the action of observing, and the adverb "attentively" modifies the verb, indicating the manner in which the action is performed. This signifies a focused and careful observation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "watch attentively" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase for emphasizing careful observation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and its usage spans diverse contexts like news, media, wikis, and academic writing. While variations like "observe closely" or "pay close attention" exist, "watch attentively" effectively conveys focused visual attention. Remember to avoid passive voice constructions to maintain clarity and impact in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

observe closely

Replaces "watch" with "observe" and "attentively" with "closely", slightly more formal.

pay close attention

Shifts the focus to the act of paying attention rather than the act of watching.

observe with care

Emphasizes the carefulness of the observation.

follow closely

Suggests tracking something's progress or development with attention.

keep a close watch

Implies a continuous and vigilant observation.

monitor carefully

More formal and suggests a systematic observation, often for a specific purpose.

scrutinize meticulously

Suggests a very detailed and critical examination.

view intently

Replaces "watch" with "view" and emphasizes the focus of the viewing.

study carefully

Suggests an observation with the intent to learn and understand something.

be all ears and eyes

An idiomatic expression that implies heightened attention to both auditory and visual stimuli.

FAQs

How can I use "watch attentively" in a sentence?

You can use "watch attentively" to describe someone giving their full attention to observing something, such as, "The students were instructed to watch attentively as the experiment unfolded."

What are some alternatives to "watch attentively"?

Alternatives include "observe closely", "pay close attention", or "monitor carefully", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "watch attentively" and "watch closely"?

"Watch attentively" emphasizes the mental focus and engagement of the observer, while "watch closely" highlights the carefulness and thoroughness of the observation, suggesting a vigilant approach.

When is it appropriate to use "watch attentively" in formal writing?

It's appropriate in any context, as Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and commonly used. You can find it in formal contexts, such as academic papers, business reports, or news articles. The phrase indicates a deliberate and focused observation.