spotted
v.v. to see or notice someone or something, especially when they are hard to find. You use this when you suddenly catch sight of something.
v. to catch sight of or discern something, particularly when it is hidden, distant, or part of a crowded environment. Often used in the past tense to describe a sudden moment of recognition.
I spotted a small bird in the tree.
The security guard spotted the intruder on the cameras before they could reach the main entrance.
Experienced birdwatchers can often identify a species just by its flight pattern, having spotted subtle movements that a casual observer would likely miss entirely.
The verb is transitive and requires a direct object. It is frequently used in the past simple tense to denote a completed act of perception.
I was spotted the carI spotted the carLearners sometimes use passive structures when they mean the active 'I saw it'. Use 'spotted' alone to mean you were the one who saw something.