What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
noticed
Example
I noticed a strange smell coming from the kitchen. [noticed: past tense]
Example
She noticed the small details in the painting that others had missed. [noticed: verb]
Example
He felt appreciated when his hard work was noticed by his boss. [noticed: adjective]
observe
Example
The scientist observed the behavior of the animals in their natural habitat. [observed: past tense]
Example
She observed the way the leaves changed color in the fall. [observed: verb]
Example
It is important to observe traffic laws for safety. [observe: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Noticed is more commonly used than observe in everyday language. Noticed is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while observe is less common and often used in more formal or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between noticed and observe?
Observe is typically associated with a more formal and technical tone, while noticed is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.
