observation
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++LDOCE 5++ob·ser·va·tion /ˌɒbzəˈveɪʃən $ ˌɑːbzər-/ ●●○ W3 noun 1 [countable, uncountable]WATCH the process of watching something or someone carefully for a period of time 观察，注意；监视observation of Bloomfield’s approach to linguistics was based on observation of the language. 布龙菲尔德的语言学研究方法以对语言的观察为基础。 He spent two nights under close observation in hospital. 他在医院接受了两个晚上的严密观察。 His orders were to keep the men under observation. 他下的命令是监视这些人。 Art classes help develop children’s powers of observation. 美术课有助于提高儿童的观察力。 Careful observation suggests that this is not the case. 仔细观察的结果表明情况并非如此。 Detailed observations were carried out on the behaviour of the students. 对这些学生的行为作了细致观察。 From their direct observations, children absorb a model of marriage. 儿童通过直接观察来理解某一种婚姻的模式。2 [countable] something that you notice when watching something or someone 观察结果 Some interesting observations emerged from this research. 这项研究得出了一些有趣的结果。3 [countable]SAY a spoken or written remark about something you have noticed 〔对所注意到的事物的〕评述，评论observation on Darwin’s observations on the habits of certain birds 达尔文对某些鸟类习性的论述observation about Paz makes some observations about the role of the critic. 帕斯论述了评论家的作用。► see thesaurus at comment4. [uncountable]OBEY the act of obeying a law etc 〔对法律等的〕遵守，奉行 SYN observance —observational adjectiven COLLOCATIONSphrasesbe under observation (=be in the process of being watched)The police said that the house had been under observation.keep somebody under observation (=closely watch someone or something over a period of time)The doctor ordered that the patient be kept under observation.somebody’s powers of observation (=someone’s abilty to watch things in a way that helps them learn and understand more)In the past, people used their own powers of observation to forecast the weather.ADJECTIVES/NOUN + observationclose/careful/detailed observationA lot of useful knowledge is gained by careful observation of the world around you.casual observation (=observation that is not done in a very careful or organized way)Even casual observation makes this theory improbable.direct observationPiaget developed his theories based on direct observation of children.personal observation (=watching and understanding something yourself, rather than hearing or reading about it)I knew cigarettes were addictive from personal observation.scientific observation (=observation done for scientific purposes)Scientific observation led to the discovery of vaccines.classroom observation (=observation of a teacher and children in a classroom)Classroom observation is only part of what school inspectors do.observation + NOUNan observation post/point (=a place from where you can observe something)The peak of the mountain was a natural location for an observation post.an observation deck/platform/tower (=a structure that is built in order to observe something)The army built an observation tower on the top of the building.phrasesa period of observationThe hospital released him after a period of observation.
Examples from the Corpus
observation• Science follows naturally from questions and observations.• After years of horticultural experience and careful observations, I have compiled a short informational guide on your choices in lawn-mowing equipment.• We want that place kept under constant observation.• His detailed observations helped to dispel popular misconceptions about the habits and behaviour of the cuckoo.• They kept him in overnight just for observation.• Such at least was his observation.• A tour of Washington DC inspired one visitor to make some interesting observations about the gap between the rich and the poor.• Our delusions are just as likely to be real as our most careful scientific observations.• a long-term observation of the solar system• None of those stranded at the observation deck and restaurant on top were injured.• The inspector began his report with the observation that the school was a happy place.• For any, and this observation implies infeasibility.• Those observations made, it should be said that the Herioter did have his moments in the lineout.• She spent two nights in hospital under observation, before being allowed home.• A patrol car spotted us and the officers inside made it clear that we were under observation.• I agree with your observations about the pricing of products.direct observations• And that in general is what makes direct observations good.• Both of the tests we have examined require direct observations of the expected variable.• Possession of such direct observations on expectations would allow us to test the validity of the rational expectations hypothesis in two ways.• From their direct observations they absorb a model of marriage.• Addams' work is filled with direct observations and descriptions of happenings.makes ... observations• In coming to this conclusion he makes two important observations.• He makes cutting observations about racism and sexism and then, unfortunately, veers into lame sneer-along homophobia.• And that in general is what makes direct observations good.ob·ser·va·tion noun →n COLLOCATIONS1LDOCE OnlineChineseSyllable
process someone Corpus of or carefully watching something the
observation
ob‧ser‧va‧tion W3 /ˌɒbzəˈveɪʃən $ ˌɑːbzər-/
noun
1. [uncountable and countable] the process of watching something or someone carefully for a period of time
observation of
Bloomfield’s approach to linguistics was based on observation of the language.
He spent two nights under close observation in hospital.
His orders were to keep the men under observation.
Art classes help develop children’s powers of observation.
Careful observation suggests that this is not the case.
Detailed observations were carried out on the behaviour of the students.
From their direct observations, children absorb a model of marriage.
2. [countable] something that you notice when watching something or someone:
Some interesting observations emerged from this research.
3. [countable] a spoken or written remark about something you have noticed
observation on
Darwin’s observations on the habits of certain birds
observation about
Paz makes some observations about the role of the critic.
4. [uncountable] the act of obeying a law etc
SYN observance
—observational adjective
■ phrases
▪be under observation (=be in the process of being watched) The police said that the house had been under observation.
▪keep somebody under observation (=closely watch someone or something over a period of time) The doctor ordered that the patient be kept under observation.
▪sb’s powers of observation (=someone’s abilty to watch things in a way that helps them learn and understand more) In the past, people used their own powers of observation to forecast the weather.
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + observation
▪close/careful/detailed observation A lot of useful knowledge is gained by careful observation of the world around you.
▪casual observation (=observation that is not done in a very careful or organized way) Even casual observation makes this theory improbable.
▪direct observation Piaget developed his theories based on direct observation of children.
▪personal observation (=watching and understanding something yourself, rather than hearing or reading about it) I knew cigarettes were addictive from personal observation.
▪scientific observation (=observation done for scientific purposes) Scientific observation led to the discovery of vaccines.
▪classroom observation (=observation of a teacher and children in a classroom) Classroom observation is only part of what school inspectors do.
■ observation + NOUN
▪an observation post/point (=a place from where you can observe something) The peak of the mountain was a natural location for an observation post.
▪an observation deck/platform/tower (=a structure that is built in order to observe something) The army built an observation tower on the top of the building.
■ phrases
▪a period of observation The hospital released him after a period of observation.
▪ comment something that you say or write in order to give your opinion: Does anyone have any comments? | Readers are invited to send in their comments and suggestions.
▪remark something that you say: Just ignore them if they start making rude remarks. | I’m not sure what he meant by that last remark.
▪point something that someone mentions about a subject in a discussion, argument, article etc: That’s an interesting point, Steve. | He raises (=mentions) a number of important points in his paper.
▪observation a comment in which you say what you think or have noticed about something: Karl Marx made the observation that history repeats itself first as tragedy, second as farce.
▪aside a comment made in a low voice, that you intend only certain people to hear: ‘Is that true?’, she whispered in an aside to Don.
▪quip /kwɪp/ a clever and amusing comment: She knew she should reply with some light-hearted quip.
▪dig informal a comment you make to annoy or criticize someone: I’m tired of her little digs at me.
▪taunt /tɔːnt $ tɒːnt/ a comment intended to make someone angry or upset: The fans made racist taunts throughout the game.
ob‧ser‧va‧tion W3 /ˌɒbzəˈveɪʃən $ ˌɑːbzər-/
noun1. [uncountable and countable] the process of watching something or someone carefully for a period of time
observation of
2. [countable] something that you notice when watching something or someone:
3. [countable] a spoken or written remark about something you have noticed
observation on
observation about
4. [uncountable] the act of obeying a law etc
SYN observance
—observational adjective
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Theory 理论
formulate/advance a theory/hypothesis创立理论；提出假设 build/construct/create/develop a simple/theoretical/mathematical model创立一个简单／理论／数学模型 develop/establish/provide/use a theoretical/conceptual framework创立／建立／提供／使用理论／概念框架 advance/argue/develop the thesis that…提出／论证／详尽阐述…的论题 explore an idea/a concept/a hypothesis探讨一个想法／概念／假设 make a prediction/an inference预测；推断 base a prediction/your calculations on sth基于…做出预测／估算 investigate/evaluate/accept/challenge/reject a theory/hypothesis/model研究／评估／接受／质疑／拒绝接受一个理论／假设／模型
Experiment 实验
design an experiment/a questionnaire/a study/a test设计一项实验／问卷／研究／测试 do research/an experiment/an analysis做研究／实验／分析 make observations/measurements/calculations观察；测量；计算 carry out/conduct/perform an experiment/a test/a longitudinal study/observations/clinical trials进行实验／测试／纵向研究／观察／临床试验 run an experiment/a simulation/clinical trials进行实验／模拟／临床试验 repeat an experiment/a test/an analysis重做实验／测试／分析 replicate a study/the results/the findings做相同的研究；得出同样的结果／调查结果 observe/study/examine/investigate/assess a pattern/a process/a behaviour/( a behaviorespecially
观察／研究／审查／调查／评估一种模式／一个过程／一种行为 fund/support the research/project/study资助／支持研究／项目／专题研究 seek/provide/get/secure funding for research寻求／提供／得到／争取到研究资金
Results 结果
collect/gather/extract data/information收集／提取数据／信息 yield data/evidence/similar findings/the same results得到数据／证据／类似调查结果／相同结果 analyse/examine the data/soil samples/a specimen分析／考查数据／土壤样本／样本 consider/compare/interpret the results/findings思考／比较／解释结果／调查结果 fit the data/model与数据／模型相符合 confirm/support/verify a prediction/a hypothesis/the results/the findings证实／支持／核实预测／假设／结果／调查结果 prove a conjecture/hypothesis/theorem证明猜测／假设／定理 draw/make/reach the same conclusions得出同样的结论 read/review the records/literature阅读／评论记录／文献 describe/report an experiment/a study描述／报告一项实验／研究 present/publish/summarize the results/findings提交／公布／总结结果／调查结果 present/publish/read/review/cite a paper in a scientific journal向科学杂志提交一篇论文；在科学杂志发表一篇论文；阅读／评论／引用科学杂志上的一篇论文
statement something that you say or write that gives information or an opinion, often in a formal way 通常指正式的说明、声明、陈述、报告 ：◆ A government spokesperson made a statement to the press. 政府发言人向新闻界发表了一份声明。 comment something that you say or write that gives an opinion on sth or is a response to a question about a particular situation 指议论、评论、意见 ：◆ She made helpful comments on my work. 她对我的工作提出了有益的意见。 announcement a spoken or written statement that informs people about sth 指公告、布告、通告 ：◆ the announcement of a peace agreement 和平协议公告 remark something that you say or write that gives an opinion or thought about sb/sth 指谈论、言论、评述 ：◆ He made a number of rude remarks about the food. 他对这食物作了许多无礼的评论。 declaration ( an official or formal statement, especially one that states an intention, a belief or a feeling, or that gives informationrather
指官方或正式的公告、宣告、宣言、声明 ：◆ the declaration of war 宣战 observation ( a comment, especially one based on sth you have seen, heard or readrather
尤指根据所见、所闻、所读而作的评论 ：◆ He began by making a few general observations about the report. 开头他先对这个报告作了几点概括性的评论。
comment, remark or observation? 用 comment、remark 还是 observation？
A comment can be official or private. Aremark can be made in public or private but is always unofficial and the speaker may not have considered it carefully. Anobservation is unofficial but is usually more considered than a remark.* comment 既可是官方的也可是私下的；remark 既可是公开的也可是私下的，但总是非官方的，说话者可能未经深思熟虑；observation 是非官方的，但通常较 remark 多几分考虑。
Patterns
a(n) statement/comment/announcement/remark/declaration/observation about stha(n) statement/comment/observation on stha(n) public/official statement/comment/announcement/declarationto make a(n) statement/comment/announcement/remark/declaration/observationto issue a(n) statement/announcement/declaration