Meaning & use
be spotted
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Meanings
verbintransitive
to be seen or noticed by someone, especially when you are trying not to be seen
Grammar: Passive form of 'spot'; often followed by 'by' to say who saw you, or used alone when the observer is unknown.
Patterns
- be spotted by someone
- be spotted doing something
- be spotted in/at a place
The thief was spotted by a security camera.
She was spotted leaving the building at midnight.
Rare birds can be spotted in this forest early in the morning.
verbintransitive
to be marked with small round areas of a different color
Grammar: Used for patterns on animals, clothes, or surfaces; often with 'with'.
Patterns
- be spotted with something
The eggs are spotted with brown and gray.
Her dress was spotted with tiny white dots.
Common combinations
- be spotted by a fan
- The singer was spotted by a fan at the airport.
- be spotted doing something
- He was spotted taking photos of the house.
- be spotted in public
- The actress rarely allows herself to be spotted in public.
- be spotted with
- The leaf was spotted with black marks.
Synonyms and how they differ
- be seen
- More general and neutral; 'be spotted' suggests a quick or unexpected noticing, often when the person wanted to stay hidden.
- be noticed
- Focuses on attention being paid; 'be spotted' is usually about a single moment of visual detection.
- be observed
- More formal and often suggests watching over time, not a sudden glimpse.
Word family
Commonly confused: be spotted or be spot?
be spotted vs be spot
Not a phrase. The verb is 'spot' (past participle 'spotted'), so the passive is 'be spotted'.
Practice
The suspect ______ by a witness near the train station.
Choose one answer.
'Was spotted' is passive and fits the meaning 'was seen by someone'. 'Spotted' alone is active and would need the suspect to be the one doing the seeing.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “be spotted”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.