What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
monitoring
Example
The doctor is monitoring the patient's vital signs closely. [monitoring: present participle]
Example
The company has implemented a system for monitoring employee productivity. [monitoring: noun]
observation
Example
The scientist made several observations during the experiment. [observations: noun]
Example
I observed the birds in the park for hours, noting their behavior and interactions. [observed: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Monitoring is more commonly used in practical or operational contexts, such as healthcare, manufacturing, or security. Observation is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of contexts, including scientific, social, and artistic.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between monitoring and observation?
Both monitoring and observation can be used in formal and informal contexts, depending on the context and audience. However, monitoring may be more commonly associated with technical or specialized language, while observation may be more commonly associated with everyday language.