watching their response

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "watching their response" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when observing how someone reacts or replies to a situation or question. Example: "During the meeting, I was watching their response to the proposed changes in the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

That's typically done by inserting metal electrodes into the so-called somatosensory cortex of animals and watching their response.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Dr. Hrobjartsson said he had been telling other investigators what he found and watching their responses.

The New York Times

Indeed, the murder Foos claims to have witnessed was actively provoked by his own interference: increasingly frustrated by his self-selected role as audience, Foos said he began "testing" his guests, setting them ethical dilemmas, such as putting in their room a suitcase they believed was stuffed with cash, and watching their responses.

The Guardian - Books

It was interesting because we were doing it a year in advance and we have a lot of firefighters on the set, so we got to watch their response.

The New York Times - Arts

"It was watching their very humane, moral response to the refugee crisis".

The Guardian

As the participants performed the task, the researchers watched their brain responses on the fMRI scanner, which tracks blood flow as a measure of brain activity.

Science Magazine

I tell them, "I am from South Africa" and watch their spluttering responses.

Vice

I tell them, "I am from South Africa" and watch their spluttering responses.

Vice

During the Jeopardy! round, except in response to the Daily Double clue, contestants are not penalized for forgetting to phrase their response in the form of a question, although the host will remind contestants to watch their phrasing in future responses.

Wikipedia

For example, "Do you need a break?" Listen or watch for their response.

WikiHow

Watch for their response, if it is shocked or angry, tread carefully and discuss any concerns they may have about your researching religions.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "watching their response" when you want to emphasize the act of observing how someone reacts to a specific stimulus or situation. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "watching their response" is a valid phrase, avoid using it repeatedly in the same piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms such as "observing their reaction" or "noting their reply" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "watching their response" functions as a verbal phrase, where "watching" acts as a present participle modifying the direct object "their response". It describes the act of observing someone's reaction. As seen in the example from Ludwig, it's about actively noticing and paying attention to how someone reacts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "watching their response" is a versatile and frequently used phrase that describes the act of observing someone's reaction to a particular event or stimulus. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and carries a neutral tone, making it appropriate for a wide range of contexts, primarily in news, science, and general writing. While the phrase is perfectly acceptable, it's advisable to vary your vocabulary and try alternatives to avoid repetition. Consider using phrases like "observing their reaction" or "monitoring their response" to achieve a similar meaning with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

observing their reaction

Focuses on the emotional or behavioral reaction rather than just a response.

monitoring their reaction

Implies a more continuous and systematic observation of the response.

witnessing their reaction

Emphasizes being present as their response unfolds.

seeing how they react

A more informal way of expressing the same idea.

noting their response

Focuses on recording or taking notice of the response.

analyzing their response

Implies a deeper examination and interpretation of the response.

assessing their reaction

Highlights the evaluation aspect of their response.

gauging their reaction

Focuses on estimating or judging the impact of something by their reaction.

tracking their response

Suggests following their response over a period of time.

following their reaction

Indicates closely observing the sequence of their reaction.

FAQs

What does "watching their response" mean?

It means observing or paying attention to how someone reacts to a particular situation, question, or event. It involves noticing their actions, words, and body language to understand their reaction.

How can I use "watching their response" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe observing someone's reaction. For example, "I was "watching their response" carefully when I announced the news".

What can I say instead of "watching their response"?

You can use alternatives like "observing their reaction", "monitoring their reaction", or "noting their reply", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "watching their response" formal or informal?

It is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although alternatives like "observing their reaction" may sound slightly more formal.