observe

/əbˈzɜːv/ (bre, ipa) · /əbˈzɜːrv/ (ame, ipa) · /əb-ˈzərv/ (ame, mw)

observe — verb

  • observepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • observeshe / she / it
  • observedpast simple
  • observing-ing form

1. to give close, patient attention to a person, animal, event, or process — usuall

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

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.

例句

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

同義詞
  • watch

    more general; doesn't always imply careful study

  • monitor

    stresses ongoing checking, often with instruments or data

  • study

    stronger emphasis on analysis and understanding

反義詞
  • ignore

    to pay no attention rather than careful attention

  • overlook

    to fail to notice something you should have seen

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

❌I observed the movie last night.
✅I watched the movie last night.
💡use 'observe' for studying behaviour or events, not for casual viewing.
❌She observed at the children playing.
✅She observed the children playing.
💡'observe' is transitive; do not insert 'at'.

2. to come to see or realise that something is the case, often as a brief moment of

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

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.

例句

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)

同義詞
  • notice

    everyday register; 'observe' is more formal

  • perceive

    stresses the act of becoming aware, often through senses

  • remark

    near-synonym only when the noticing is also stated aloud

反義詞
  • miss

    fail to notice

  • overlook

    fail to register something present

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

❌I observed him to leave the building.
✅I observed him leave the building.
💡after 'observe + object', use the bare infinitive, not 'to'.

3. to put something into words as a brief comment, especially a comment that points

3.動詞及物 / 不及物C1
釋義

to put something into words as a brief comment, especially a comment that points out a fact you have just thought of or noticed.

例句

"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)

同義詞
  • remark

    very close in meaning; slightly less formal

  • comment

    can be a longer statement; 'observe' is usually short and pointed

  • note

    as a reporting verb; often used in writing

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

❌She observed silently that the door was open.
✅She noticed silently that the door was open.
💡if nothing is spoken, use 'notice', not 'observe' (in this remark sense).

4. to act in line with a rule, law, agreement, or tradition — for example, keeping

4.動詞及物C2
釋義

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.

例句

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

同義詞
  • 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

反義詞
  • break

    as in 'break the law/rules'

  • violate

    more formal opposite; for laws and agreements

  • ignore

    treat the rule as if it doesn't apply

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.

常見錯誤

❌You should observe your father's advice.
✅You should follow your father's advice.
💡'observe' takes rules and customs, not personal advice.
❌They observed at the new policy.
✅They observed the new policy.
💡'observe' is directly transitive in this sense.