while observing

USAGE SUMMARY

"while observing" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that an action or event happened simultaneously or during the time that something else was being observed. Example: While observing the birds in the park, I noticed a rare species I had never seen before.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

– while observing the stigma and inequality that still surrounds the trans community.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Players can also chat while observing blitz, or speed chess, games between grandmasters.

The New York Times - Tech

I seem to recall that Hashim Amla also had a substantial innings while observing Ramadan".

The Guardian - Sport

Later, as I watched assembly-line deliveries, I vomited while observing a very messy episiotomy.

The New York Times

He gently mocked the conventions of sportscasting (in his deep broadcaster's timbre) even while observing them.

The New Yorker

Two capoeiristas exchange movements of attack and defence while observing rituals and proper manners.

The Guardian - Travel

In March, while observing a Read more stories about the year in culture and politics.

The New Yorker

While observing his aunt, she began to move toward her collectibles.

The New Yorker

The ancient naturalist Pliny the Elder was killed while observing the eruption in AD79 that destroyed Pompeii.

The Guardian - Arts

Last year, while observing Earth Day at Gettysburg, Mr. Babbitt promised: "This tower is coming down on my watch".

The New York Times

For when guarding one's personal honour one has to be meticulous while observing the social fabric with equal scrupulousness.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "while observing", ensure that the main clause clearly benefits from or is directly related to the observation. This maintains a clear cause-and-effect relationship, enhancing clarity.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by placing "while observing" close to the subject that is doing the observing. Misplacement can lead to unintended interpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "while observing" functions as a subordinating conjunction, introducing a clause that provides the temporal context for the main clause. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in linking simultaneous actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

38%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "while observing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used conjunction phrase that indicates simultaneous actions. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread usage. It appears most commonly in scientific and news-related contexts, as confirmed by the Ludwig examples, and functions to provide temporal context and establish relationships between actions. To ensure clarity, it's best to position the phrase close to the subject performing the observation. Alternatives such as "as you observe" or "during observation" can be used depending on the desired emphasis. Be aware that "while observing" should be used carefully to avoid potential ambiguity in sentence structure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

concurrently observing

Highlights the simultaneity of the observation with another action.

as you observe

Changes the perspective to a direct address, focusing on the observer.

during observation

Emphasizes the period of observation as the context for an event.

whilst watching

Replaces 'observing' with 'watching', implying a more passive form of observation and uses a more archaic form of 'while'.

as one watches

Similar to 'as you observe' but more impersonal and general.

in the process of observing

Focuses on the ongoing nature of the observation.

during the act of observing

More verbose, emphasizing the active nature of observing.

as you are watching

Highlights continuous action and direct address.

on observing

Slightly more formal, suggesting 'upon observing'.

with observation of

Shifts the focus to the observation itself as a condition.

FAQs

How to use "while observing" in a sentence?

Use "while observing" to indicate an action that occurs during the process of observing something. For example, "While observing the experiment, we noted several unexpected reactions".

What can I say instead of "while observing"?

You can use alternatives like "as you observe", "during observation", or "concurrently observing" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to use "while observing" or "when observing"?

"While observing" and "when observing" are generally interchangeable, but "while observing" might carry a slightly more formal tone, especially in scientific or technical writing. The choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

What's the difference between "while observing" and "during observation"?

"While observing" is a conjunction phrase that connects an action with the act of observing. "During observation" is a prepositional phrase that specifies a time frame. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the action ('while observing') or the time period ('during observation').