observer

observer — noun

1. someone present at an event, meeting, or scene who pays attention to what is goi

1.名詞B2
釋義

someone present at an event, meeting, or scene who pays attention to what is going on but does not get involved or take part.

例句

Maya stayed quiet at the family meeting, acting as a silent observer rather than joining the argument.

noun + complement: acting as a [silent/quiet] observer

A casual observer in the park would never guess that the children were rehearsing for a play.

fixed phrase: a casual observer would [verb]

同義詞
  • onlooker

    stresses being present at a scene by chance, often a public incident

  • spectator

    specifically someone watching a sport, performance, or show

  • bystander

    more passive; often used when a serious event happens around the person

  • witness

    watches and can later report or testify what happened

反義詞
  • participant

    someone actively taking part rather than just watching

  • player

    for sports or games, the one in the action rather than watching

文法句型

observer of [event/situation]

observer at [event]

用法筆記

Often appears with adjectives describing how engaged the watcher is (casual, silent, neutral, outside). Distinguish from sense 2: this sense is about a normal person watching, not an expert who studies a topic.

常見錯誤

❌I was an observer about the meeting.
✅I was an observer at the meeting.
💡use 'at' for the place/event, 'of' for what is being watched.
❌The observers played in the game.
✅The observers watched the game without joining in.
💡an observer by definition does not take part.

2. a person sent by a country, organisation, or government body to watch an officia

2.名詞C1
釋義

a person sent by a country, organisation, or government body to watch an official event such as an election, peace talk, or military operation, and to report on whether the rules are being followed.

例句

The European Union sent a team of observers to monitor the presidential election in Kenya.

pattern: send observers to [event/country]

International observers reported that the vote count in two southern districts was fair.

collocation: international observers reported [that-clause]

同義詞
  • monitor

    more active; can include checking and warning, not just watching

  • inspector

    has authority to check rules and may issue findings

  • delegate

    represents a country or group, but usually with a voice, unlike an observer

反義詞
  • participant

    a country or person taking part in the vote/talks rather than just watching

文法句型

[organization] observer

observer at [event]

send observers to [place]

用法筆記

Frequently appears as a compound noun (election observer, UN observer, military observer). The observer has an official role and writes a report, but has no power to vote, command, or change the result. Distinguish from sense 1, which is any private person who happens to watch.

常見錯誤

❌The observers voted to cancel the election.
✅The observers reported that the election was unfair.
💡observers in this sense do not have voting or decision-making power.
❌He was an observer for the war.
✅He was a military observer during the war.
💡use 'military observer' or 'observer during/at [the conflict]'.