Watch / observe

[zaffy]

Say my car is starting to develop some issue, yet it's not clear at all what the issue is. Say we can hear some light knocking sound in the engine. That could be quite a few things and mechanics say it's too early to diagnose the thing. We just need to wait until the thing is clear enough. In Polish mechanics often say what translates into "Drive and watch" or "Drive and observe", meaning you just keep using your car and be more alert/vigilant as for the issue, whether it's worsening or not. Would that phrase work? What would English say?

 

[CaptainZero]

"Keep an eye on it" springs to mind as common idiom - "Just keep driving and keep an eye on it".

 

[Wordy McWordface]

I agree that "keep an eye on it" is an obvious expression to use. We use it in all sorts of similar situations. For example, you go to the doctor with a rash, or a small lump or mole or something. The doctor isn't too concerned and sends you home, but they tell you to "keep an eye" on it and come back if you notice any changes.

 

[zaffy]

And out of interest, do "Drive and watch" or "Drive and observe" make sense in such contexts? Or do they sound totally off?

 

[CaptainZero]

You'd need to put those phrases into complete sentences, zaffy.

 

[zaffy]

For example, you go to the doctor with a rash, or a small lump or mole or something. The doctor isn't too concerned and sends you home, but they tell you to "keep an eye" on it and come back if you notice any changes.

That's interesing. In Polish a doctor will say watch/observe just like a mechanic. For example,

Observe your body and come back if you notice any changes.
Observe yourself and come back if you notice any changes.

Watch your body and come back if you notice any changes.
Watch yourself and come back if you notice any changes.

Does any of those work?

 

[kentix]

No.

 

[CaptainZero]

They're all understandable and all grammatically correct, but none of them are idiomatic. "Keep and eye on it / on them / on things / on the situation and come back if you notice / if you see / if there are any changes", is the way to go.

 

[zaffy]

And if I ask someone to keep an eye on my children for a moment, I guess "watch" would be fine, wouldn't it?

Can you keep an eye on my kids for a minute or two please?
Can you watch my kids for a minute or two please?
Can you observe my kids for a minute or two please?

 

[CaptainZero]

"Keep and eye on" and "watch" are ok there, but not "observe". That means "notice or perceive (something) and register it as being significant" (Oxford).