watch closely

USAGE SUMMARY

"watch closely" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to tell someone to pay attention and observe something carefully. For example: "Watch closely and you'll see how the magician performs this trick."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In other words, someone to watch closely.

The New Yorker

Watch closely or it may bubble over.

The New York Times - Magazine

If you're into that, watch closely.

The New York Times

Watch closely so that it doesn't burn.

The New York Times - Health

Practitioners should continue to watch closely.

The Guardian

The S.E.C. began to watch closely.

The New York Times

Watch closely for this notice to disappear".

The Guardian - Tech

But she added, "You have to watch closely".

The New York Times

So watch closely for any sign of weakening.

The Economist

"We expect the M.T.A. to watch closely," Mr. Schwartz said.

The New York Times

He's one we know that we'll have to watch closely".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "watch closely" to encourage someone to pay careful attention to details, especially when something is about to happen or change. For example: "Watch closely as the ingredients are mixed."

Common error

Avoid using "watch closely" when the situation doesn't involve a process, change, or potential surprise. For example, instead of "watch closely" at a landscape painting, suggest "observe the details" or "appreciate the artistry".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "watch closely" functions primarily as an imperative, instructing the listener or reader to pay careful attention. This directive use is supported by the Ludwig examples, which demonstrate its common application in guiding observation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "watch closely" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that serves as an imperative, prompting the audience to pay careful attention. Ludwig AI validates its widespread usability across various contexts, as demonstrated by the numerous examples extracted from diverse sources like news media, wikis, and business publications. While versatile, it's most effective when indicating an imminent action or change. For situations demanding greater formality, alternatives such as "observe attentively" or "monitor carefully" might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

observe attentively

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

follow closely

Suggests tracking progress or actions, rather than just observing.

pay close attention

Emphasizes the act of giving attention, rather than just observing.

mind attentively

Similar to 'pay close attention', emphasizing care and focus in observation.

keep a sharp eye on

Suggests vigilance and alertness in watching.

study intensively

Implies a detailed observation with the purpose of learning and understanding.

monitor carefully

Implies a more systematic and continuous observation.

be vigilant

Focuses on being alert and watchful, often in anticipation of danger or problems.

keep under surveillance

Suggests a discreet and often covert form of observation.

scrutinize meticulously

Implies a very detailed and thorough examination.

FAQs

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

Use "watch closely" to instruct someone to pay attention to something. For example, "Watch closely, and you'll see how the trick is done".

What are some alternatives to "watch closely"?

Alternatives include "pay close attention", "observe attentively", or "keep a sharp eye on", depending on the specific context.

Is "watch closely" formal or informal?

"Watch closely" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "monitor carefully" may be preferred in certain situations.

What's the difference between "watch closely" and "look carefully"?

"Watch closely" often implies observing a process or something that is changing, while "look carefully" suggests examining something static in detail. For example, you might "watch closely" as a chef prepares a dish, but "look carefully" at a painting.