watching closely

USAGE SUMMARY

"watching closely" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone's attention to someone or something. For example, "I watched him closely as he made his way through the tight crowd."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Residents are watching closely.

The New York Times

"They've been watching closely.

Independent

They weren't watching closely, apparently.

The New York Times

Officials will be watching closely.

The New York Times

Other cities are watching closely.

The Economist

The world is watching closely.

The Economist

But analysts are watching closely.

The New York Times

The Americans are watching closely.

The Economist

"We're watching closely".

The New York Times

"UK watching closely.

The Guardian

Mr Le Pen will be watching closely.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "watching closely" when you want to emphasize the act of observing something or someone with focused attention, often because the outcome is important or uncertain.

Common error

Avoid using "watching closely" excessively in the passive voice (e.g., "It is being watched closely"). Instead, opt for active constructions to make your writing more direct and engaging (e.g., "Analysts are watching closely").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "watching closely" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe how an action is performed. The Ludwig AI provides real-world examples where this phrase enhances the description of observation, scrutiny, or monitoring.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "watching closely" is a versatile and frequently used expression that signifies focused attention and vigilance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for both formal and informal communication, though it is most commonly found in News & Media sources. To enhance writing, consider using active voice constructions and exploring synonyms like "/s/monitoring+carefully" or "/s/observing+attentively" to avoid repetition. When to use this phrase? When you want to emphasize the importance of the outcome, and the need to be attentive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

monitoring carefully

This alternative emphasizes the act of monitoring with attention to detail.

observing attentively

This suggests a focused and engaged observation.

keeping a close watch

This phrase emphasizes the act of maintaining vigilance.

following closely

This suggests tracking something's progress or development.

paying close attention

This emphasizes the mental effort of focusing on something.

scrutinizing carefully

This suggests a detailed and critical examination.

keeping a sharp eye

This implies alertness and readiness to notice details.

keeping tabs on

This suggests monitoring something informally.

minding attentively

This expression implies a carefulness when watching over something.

surveying attentively

This expression suggests a deep examination.

FAQs

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

You can use "watching closely" to indicate a state of attentiveness and observation. For example, "The regulators are /s/monitoring+carefully developments in the market".

What's a more formal way to say "watching closely"?

A more formal alternative to "watching closely" could be "/s/observing+attentively" or "/s/scrutinizing+carefully", depending on the specific context.

What are some synonyms for "watching closely"?

Some synonyms for "watching closely" include "/s/keeping+a+close+watch", "/s/following+closely", and "/s/paying+close+attention".

In what situations is it appropriate to use "watching closely"?

"Watching closely" is appropriate in various contexts, such as describing careful monitoring of a situation, observing someone's actions, or tracking the progress of a project. It's suitable when focused attention is required.