watched

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "watched" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the action of observing something or someone, typically in the past tense. Example: "Yesterday, I watched a fascinating documentary about space exploration."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There was of course no way of knowing whether you were being watched at any given moment.

The Guardian - Tech

I've watched a lot of Premier League and Championship football over the years and I've always been really impressed with Carrow Road and the Norwich fans and the way they get the place going when they get behind the team.

The Guardian - Sport

Shillinglaw said the task of reinventing the show, which is watched by 6 million viewers on BBC2 and is a global hit generating £50m a year for the BBC, was "a challenge but it's genuinely creatively exciting".

The Guardian

The broadcaster RTÉ said 500,000 viewers watched its coverage of the Queen planting a tree at the presidential residence on Tuesday, and other channels also covered the occasion.

The Guardian

From: To: Re: Dear Prime Minister, Nine years ago, as I watched you arrive at the South Bank on the night when you became Prime Minister, I would never have imagined that I'd come to view you as a serious threat to British democracy.

The Guardian - Opinion

I suspected that the majority of people lamenting the existence of twerking don't understand what it is, and have not actually seen the dance itself (including those who have watched Miley Cyrus' performance at the VMAs).

The Guardian - Opinion

We sat in the dark, and watched our private hot-tub overflow.

The Guardian - Travel

Even so, for an Idol junkie like me (I've watched the show since season one, when Kelly Clarkson was crowned America's newest pop princess), there was more than a little heartache in the announcement.

The Guardian - Music

Have you ever watched TV or been to the theatre with an actor?

The Guardian

A long-time member, Peter Rücker, who watched Lubitz learn to fly, said he had been upbeat when he returned to the club last autumn to renew his glider pilot's licence.

The Guardian

I watched movies and TV shows on it, and it was indispensable for fiddling around for boring hours on a plane.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an event you attended, use "watched" to convey your active participation as an observer. For example, "I "watched" the parade with my family."

Common error

Avoid using "watched" when the subject is acted upon rather than being the observer. Instead of saying "The game was "watched" by millions", use "Millions "watched" the game".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "watched" is as the past tense and past participle form of the verb "watch". It denotes the action of observing something that occurred in the past. Ludwig AI confirms this through its extensive examples, showcasing its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Sport

14%

Lifestyle

9%

Less common in

Travel

5%

Film

4%

TV & Radio

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "watched" is the past tense form of "watch", widely used to describe the act of observing something in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its versatility and correctness across various contexts, as well as its grammatical status. As a word, it maintains a neutral tone and can be applied to a multitude of contexts, including News & Media, Sports, and Lifestyle. While alternatives like "observed" or "viewed" exist, the choice depends largely on the specific nuance you wish to convey. By understanding its function and typical usage, you can effectively use "watched" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

observed

Formal synonym emphasizing careful or scientific observation.

viewed

Focuses on the act of seeing something, often implying visual enjoyment or inspection.

witnessed

Suggests being present at an event, often of significance or impact.

monitored

Implies continuous or systematic observation, often for a specific purpose.

kept an eye on

Informal expression indicating vigilance and care in observing something or someone.

paid attention to

Highlights the act of focusing one's awareness on something.

took notice of

Emphasizes becoming aware of something, often after a period of unawareness.

scrutinized

Implies close and critical examination.

overlooked

Refers to supervising or managing, rather than just seeing.

attended

Emphasizes presence at an event or performance.

FAQs

How can I use "watched" in a sentence?

You can use "watched" to describe the act of observing something, like "I "watched" the sunset" or "She "watched" him leave".

What's the difference between "watched" and "observed"?

"Watched" generally implies casual viewing, while "observed" suggests a more careful or scientific examination.

Is there a more formal alternative to "watched"?

Yes, "viewed" or "witnessed" can be more formal alternatives to "watched", depending on the context.

Can "watched" be used in different tenses?

Yes, "watched" is the past tense and past participle of "watch". The present tense is "watch", and the future tense can be expressed as "will watch".