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Essential Collocations with Observation: 32 Key Phrases for Academic and Professional English

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Mastering collocations with observation enhances your English fluency and precision across academic, scientific, and professional contexts. These carefully curated combinations demonstrate how this fundamental noun pairs with specific adjectives, verbs, and prepositions to create nuanced meanings that elevate your communication from basic to sophisticated levels.

Essential Collocations with Observation: 32 Key Phrases for Academic and Professional English

I. What is Observation?
II. Comprehensive Collocations with Observation
III. Exercises on collocations with Observation
1. 1. Exercise: Fill in the blank with the appropriate word
2. 2. Answer

I. What is Observation?

In English, Observation is pronounced as /ˌɑːb.zɚˈveɪ.ʃən/ and functions as a noun, meaning: the action or process of observing something or someone carefully or in order to gain information. For example:

The police are keeping the suspect under observation.
Sarah was admitted to hospital for observation.

II. Comprehensive Collocations with Observation

The noun "observation" is widely used in scientific, academic, and everyday contexts to describe the act of noticing or monitoring something. The tables below list common collocations with "observation" to help learners use the word accurately and naturally.

Compilation of common collocations with Observation

No.	Collocations with Observation	Example
1	Accurate observation/ˈækjərət ˌɒbzərˈveɪʃən/	The scientist made an accurate observation of the comet's trajectory using precise measuring instruments.
2	Acute observation/əˈkjuːt ˌɒbzərˈveɪʃən/	With his keen eye for detail, he made an acute observation about the subtle changes in the painting's color over time.
3	Astronomical observation/ˌæstrəˈnɒmɪkəl ˌɒbzərˈveɪʃən/	The astronomer spent the night making astronomical observations of distant galaxies and stars.
4	Careful observation/ˈkɛərfʊl ˌɒbzərˈveɪʃən/	Through careful observation of the patient's symptoms, the doctor was able to diagnose the rare condition.
5	Casual observation/ˈkæʒuəl ˌɒbzərˈveɪʃən/	From a casual observation, it seemed that the birds were migrating earlier than usual this year.
6	Clinical observation/ˈklɪnɪkəl ˌɒbzərˈveɪʃən/	The therapist made clinical observations of the patient's behavior during the therapy session to assess progress.
7	Close observation/kləʊs ˌɒbzərˈveɪʃən/	The wildlife photographer relied on close observation to capture intimate moments of animal behavior in their natural habitat.
8	Concluding observation/kənˈkluːdɪŋ ˌɒbzərˈveɪʃən/	As a concluding observation, the researcher summarized the key findings of the experiment.
9	Continuous observation/kənˈtɪnjʊəs ˌɒbzərˈveɪʃən/	Continuous observation of the weather patterns helped meteorologists predict the approaching storm.
10	Detailed observation/ˈdiːteɪld ˌɒbzərˈveɪʃən/	Through detailed observation of the archaeological site, the team unearthed ancient artifacts that shed light on the civilization's history.
11	Direct observation/dɪˈrɛkt ˌɒbzərˈveɪʃən/	The biologist conducted direct observations of the animals in their natural habitat to study their behavior.
12	Empirical observation/ɛmˈpɪrɪkəl ˌɒbzərˈveɪʃən/	The theory was supported by empirical observation and experimental data gathered over several years.
13	Experimental observation/ɪksˌpɛrɪˈmɛntəl ˌɒbzərˈveɪʃən/	The scientist recorded experimental observations of the chemical reaction to analyze its kinetics.
14	Initial observation/ɪˈnɪʃəl ˌɒbzərˈveɪʃən/	The initial observation suggested a correlation between the two variables, prompting further investigation.
15	Interesting observation/ˈɪntrəstɪŋ ˌɒbzərˈveɪʃən/	An interesting observation from the study was the unexpected connection between social media use and mental health.
16	Keen observation/kiːn ˌɒbzərˈveɪʃən/	With his keen observation skills, the detective noticed the small detail that ultimately cracked the case.
17	Method of observation/ˈmɛθəd ʌv ˌɒbzərˈveɪʃən/	The ethnographer explained her method of observation, which involved participant observation and interviews with community members.
18	Microscopic observation/ˌmaɪkrəˈskɒpɪk ˌɒbzərˈveɪʃən/	Microscopic observation revealed the intricate structure of the cell membrane.
19	Naturalistic observation/ˌnætʃəˈrɪstɪk ˌɒbzərˈveɪʃən/	The psychologist conducted a naturalistic observation of children's play behavior in a playground to understand social interaction patterns.
20	Observation platform/ˌɒbzərˈveɪʃən ˈplætfɔːm/	From the observation platform atop the tower, visitors enjoy panoramic views of the city skyline.
21	Personal observation/ˈpɜːsənəl ˌɒbzərˈveɪʃən/	Based on her personal observation, the teacher noted that students performed better in morning classes than afternoon sessions.
22	Prolonged observation/prəˈlɒŋd ˌɒbzərˈveɪʃən/	Prolonged observation of the glacier revealed significant melting patterns over the past decade.
23	Routine observation/ruːˈtiːn ˌɒbzərˈveɪʃən/	Routine observations by security personnel helped maintain the safety of the premises throughout the night.
24	Scientific observation/ˌsaɪənˈtɪfɪk ˌɒbzərˈveɪʃən/	Scientific observation forms the foundation of evidence-based research in all academic disciplines.
25	Systematic observation/ˌsɪstəˈmætɪk ˌɒbzərˈveɪʃən/	The research team conducted systematic observations of bird migration patterns across three consecutive seasons.
26	Telescopic observation/ˌtelɪˈskɒpɪk ˌɒbzərˈveɪʃən/	Telescopic observations of Mars provided crucial data about the planet's atmospheric conditions.
27	Unstructured observation/ʌnˈstrʌktʃəd ˌɒbzərˈveɪʃən/	The anthropologist began with unstructured observation to familiarize herself with the community's daily routines.
28	Visual observation/ˈvɪʒuəl ˌɒbzərˈveɪʃən/	Visual observation of the painting's brushstrokes revealed the artist's unique technique and style.
29	Behavioural observation/bɪˈheɪvjərəl ˌɒbzərˈveɪʃən/	Behavioural observations in the classroom helped the teacher identify students who needed additional support.
30	Participant observation/pɑːˈtɪsɪpənt ˌɒbzərˈveɪʃən/	The sociologist conducted participant observation by living within the community for six months to understand their cultural practices.
31	Field observation/fiːld ˌɒbzərˈveɪʃən/	Field observations of coral reef ecosystems provided valuable insights into marine biodiversity and conservation needs.
32	Structured observation/ˈstrʌktʃəd ˌɒbzərˈveɪʃən/	The research protocol required structured observation using predefined categories to ensure data consistency across different observers.

These collocations span multiple contexts including scientific research, academic studies, professional environments, and everyday situations. Each phrase demonstrates how "observation" combines with different adjectives and prepositions to create precise meanings that enhance communication clarity and sophistication.

For more collocations with Observation, click the link below:

EXPLORE MORE COLLOCATIONS WITH OBSERVATION ON CAMBRIDGE DICTIONARY!

III. Exercises on collocations with Observation

To better understand the meanings of the collocations with Observation, let's complete the practice exercise below:

1. Exercise: Fill in the blank with the appropriate word

accurate observation; astronomical observation; casual observation; acute observation; careful observation

To perform clinical practice with few errors, _______ of patients, and the ability to assess prognosis correctly are required.
No doubt that was due to my own lack of _______.
Another method of determining time relied upon _______.
_______ and description of tropical forest change provides the material from which specific hypotheses must be formulated and examined.
We have categorized these theories into four sets: self-selection, elite-driven processes, social interaction and _______.

2. Answer

1 - accurate observation

2 - acute observation

3 - astronomical observation

4 - careful observation

5 - casual observation

Understanding and applying these 32 collocations with observation transforms your English expression from simple to sophisticated. Whether conducting scientific research, writing academic papers, or engaging in professional discussions, these phrases provide the linguistic precision essential for clear, authoritative communication. Regular practice with these collocations builds the vocabulary foundation necessary for success in English proficiency examinations and real-world professional environments where accurate expression determines credibility and impact.

Chloe

Product Content Admin

Hi I'm Chloe, and I am currently serving as an Product Content Administrator at Prep Education. With over five years of experience in independent online IELTS study and exam preparation, I am confident in my ability to support learners in achieving their highest possible scores.