observe
observe — verb
1. to give close, patient attention to a person, animal, event, or process — usuall
to give close, patient attention to a person, animal, event, or process — usually so you can understand how it works, learn from it, or gather facts about its behaviour.
Dr. Tanaka observed the wild monkeys for six months in the forest.
observe + noun (subject of study)
The students sat at the back and observed how the new teacher handled the noisy class.
observe + how-clause
Marcus carefully observed the ants carrying tiny leaves across the path.
Nurses are trained to observe small changes in a patient's breathing.
From the cliff, Lina observed the boats moving slowly toward the harbour.
文法句型
observe + noun
observe + how/what/why-clause
observe + noun + verb-ing
用法筆記
Subject is usually a person who is paying deliberate attention; objects are typically things that change, move, or behave in interesting ways. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense implies sustained, purposeful watching, while sense 2 is a single moment of noticing.
常見錯誤
2. to come to see or realise that something is the case, often as a brief moment of
to come to see or realise that something is the case, often as a brief moment of awareness rather than a long study; common in writing and reports.
The detective observed that the back window had been forced open.
observe + that-clause (formal report)
Aunt Rosa observed a small crack running along the kitchen ceiling.
observe + noun (single discovery)
Witnesses observed the truck swerve into the right lane just before the crash.
Researchers observed how quickly the children picked up the new game.
I couldn't help but observe that Marcus looked tired during the meeting.
文法句型
observe + that-clause
observe + noun + bare infinitive
observe + question word
用法筆記
Frequently used in formal writing, news, and academic prose where 'notice' would feel too casual. Only sense that takes a bare-infinitive complement (we observed him leave, not 'we observed him to leave' in modern usage).
常見錯誤
3. to put something into words as a brief comment, especially a comment that points
to put something into words as a brief comment, especially a comment that points out a fact you have just thought of or noticed.
"The sky looks unusually red tonight," observed Grandma Chen as she stepped onto the porch.
observe + direct speech (reporting frame)
The professor observed that very few students had completed the reading.
observe + that-clause (formal remark)
Marcus quietly observed that the meeting had run twenty minutes over time.
"Your handwriting has improved," the tutor observed with a smile.
文法句型
observe + that-clause
observe + ', "...,"'
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2 ('notice'): sense 3 always involves saying or writing the comment, not just noticing it silently. Often used in narrative writing as a reporting verb instead of 'said'.
常見錯誤
4. to act in line with a rule, law, agreement, or tradition — for example, keeping
to act in line with a rule, law, agreement, or tradition — for example, keeping a religious festival, respecting a one-minute silence, or sticking to the speed limit.
All drivers must observe the speed limit inside the school zone.
observe + law/rule (modal must)
Many families in Taiwan observe traditional customs during the Lunar New Year.
observe + custom/tradition
The two countries agreed to observe a ceasefire for thirty days.
Players are expected to observe the rules of fair play at all times.
Our office observes a minute of silence every Remembrance Day.
- follow
more general; less formal
- comply with
stresses obedience to rules or requests
- abide by
stronger commitment, often in legal contexts
- keep
for traditions and holidays: keep the Sabbath
文法句型
observe + the law/rule/custom
observe + a holiday/anniversary
用法筆記
Object must be a rule, law, agreement, custom, or holiday — not a person and not a piece of advice. More formal than 'follow' or 'keep to'; common in legal, religious, and ceremonial contexts.