What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
observed
Example
The scientist observed the behavior of the animals in their natural habitat. [observed: verb]
Example
The security guard observed the CCTV footage for any suspicious activity. [observed: past tense]
Example
The students observed the school's dress code policy during the assembly. [observed: past participle]
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 noticed the hard work put in by his team and praised them for it. [noticed: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Noticed is more commonly used than observed in everyday language. Noticed is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while observed is less common and often associated with more formal or scientific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between observed and noticed?
Observed is generally considered more formal than noticed, which is more commonly used in everyday language and informal contexts.
