To notice something is to become aware of it, often by seeing or hearing it.

The idea

Use notice a mistake with a direct object or notice that the window is open with a clause. The regular past is noticed; after did not, use the base notice.

Examples

  • I noticed a mistake in the address.
  • She noticed that the window was open.
  • Did you notice the change in the plan?
  • We noticed a bird near the garden.
  • He did not notice the sign at first.
  • They noticed that the room was quieter.

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Watch out

Noticing can happen without deliberately searching; it does not by itself say how long you observed something.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the detail noticed. The number was wrong; I noticed a ___ in the address. (mistake / correction)

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    mistake

    The noun mistake follows noticed directly.

  2. Choose the word introducing the noticed situation. She noticed ___ the window was open. (that / than)

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    that

    That introduces the situation noticed.

  3. Choose the base form after did not. He did not ___ the sign at first. (notice / noticed)

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    notice

    After did not, the verb returns to the base notice.

Use it today

Describe a small change you noticed and explain where it happened.