well spotted

USAGE SUMMARY

"well spotted" is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase is typically used when someone has noticed something which is not easily noticed or has completed a task successfully. For example: "Well spotted! You found the evidence the police were looking for!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Sport

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Well spotted, Mr Faruk Pekin.

Independent

Yes, well spotted.

The Guardian

"Well spotted," said Michael.

The Guardian - Money

Rudd: 45 Abbott: 38 Undecided: 19 Yes, that's more than 100 voters - well spotted.

The Guardian

"We said, 'Well spotted, something to look forward to!' And this just spread around that there was a next phase".

The New Yorker

Well appealed from Buttler and Jordan, and well spotted by the umpire, because everyone else appeared to miss it.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Am I close to the mark?" Pretty well spot on, Matt.

The Guardian - Sport

Sit quietly and you may well spot one of the otters that still frequent the area.

The Guardian - Travel

You may well spot some real sculptures too – the hotel's focus is the visual arts, with original artworks adorning its walls.

Independent

You might well spot something.

BBC

The 384 well spotting plate contained 6 μl per well: 4.5 μl of PCR product from the 96 well plate aliquoted on each of the 4 quadrants and mixed with 1.5 μl of 4X Micro Spotting Solution Plus (MSP4X, Telechem, Sunnyvale, CA) after assembly.

BMC Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "well spotted" to acknowledge someone's keen observation, particularly when they've noticed something subtle or not immediately obvious. It adds a touch of positive reinforcement to your communication.

Common error

While "well spotted" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated vocabulary like "astute observation" or "insightful detection" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "well spotted" functions as an interjection or an expression of acknowledgement and praise. It's used to commend someone for noticing something that may not be immediately apparent. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is considered correct and appropriate for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

20%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Lifestyle

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "well spotted" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to acknowledge someone's accurate observation. Ludwig confirms its validity in written English. While generally neutral in register, it's best suited for informal to semi-formal contexts. Alternatives like "good observation" or "nicely noticed" may be more appropriate for formal settings. Usage is frequent in news and media, as well as scientific contexts, highlighting its broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

good observation

Focuses on the act of observing something correctly.

nicely noticed

Emphasizes the positive aspect of the observation.

keen eye

Highlights the observer's perceptiveness.

sharp observation

Implies intelligence in the observation.

astute detection

Highlights the cleverness in finding something.

good catch

Similar in tone, but slightly more informal.

you're observant

Directly compliments the person's ability.

clever find

Emphasizes that the finding was ingenious.

you noticed correctly

Directly confirms that the person's observation was true.

excellent perception

Formal way to highlight the perception of the observed.

FAQs

How can I use "well spotted" in a sentence?

"Well spotted" is used to acknowledge someone's accurate observation or discovery. For example, "Well spotted! You found the error in the code."

What's a more formal alternative to "well spotted"?

More formal alternatives include phrases like "astute detection" or "insightful observation".

Is "well spotted" appropriate for business communication?

It can be used in less formal business settings, but phrases like "good observation" or "excellent point" might be more suitable for a professional tone.

What does "well spotted" imply?

It implies that the person noticed something that was not immediately obvious or required some level of skill or attentiveness to detect.