What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
perception
Example
Her perception of the situation was that it was unfair. [perception: noun]
Example
The artist's work challenged people's perceptions of beauty. [perceptions: plural noun]
observation
Example
The scientist made several observations during the experiment. [observations: plural noun]
Example
I noticed the way he walked through careful observation. [observation: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Observation is more commonly used than perception in everyday language. Observation is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while perception is less common and often used in specific fields such as psychology or philosophy.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between perception and observation?
Both perception and observation can be used in formal and informal contexts, but perception may be associated with a more academic or philosophical tone, while observation may be associated with a more scientific or research-oriented tone.
