present participle
It describes watching someone or something carefully, especially to learn more about it.
The scientist is observing the behavior of the animals.
The security camera is constantly observing the area.
American English
How to pronounce observing
verb · nounB2Common word
uhbZERvihng
/əbˈzɚ.vɪŋ/
3 syllables · Stress the second syllable.
Form of observe
Observing can name an activity or describe an action in progress. The final e in observe is dropped before -ing: observing, not observeing.
It describes watching someone or something carefully, especially to learn more about it.
Practice out loudMeanings & examples
gerund
It is the activity of watching someone or something carefully, especially to learn more about it.
Observing birds in the garden is relaxing.
She enjoys observing people in crowded places.
present participle
It describes noticing or recognizing something by looking or paying attention.
The doctor is observing a small change in her condition.
Observing that the door was unlocked, she called the owner.
gerund
It is the activity of noticing or recognizing something by looking or paying attention.
Observing a difference between the two samples helped the researcher.
Observing small changes in the patient's condition takes experience.
Useful expressions
to remain silent for a short time to honor someone or remember an event
The crowd observed a moment of silence for the victims.
Related words & forms
The final e is dropped before -ing: observing, not observeing.