I covered him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I covered him" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to providing protection, support, or concealment for someone in a specific context. Example: "During the game, I covered him to ensure he could make the shot without being blocked."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

I covered him at breakfast.

The New Yorker

I covered him at lunch.

The New Yorker

I covered him with my jacket.

The Guardian

He and I dove into the floor, and I covered him up".

The New York Times - Sports

I covered him for the Times in the late nineteen-eighties and early nineties.

The New Yorker

I covered him briefly in 1988 as part of an assignment to write about candidates who stood no chance of being elected president.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

But Mr. Leighton is not discernibly different from when I first covered him, in 1977.

The New York Times

I also covered him raising taxes and saying, "Read my hips".

The New York Times

"I've covered him for 20 years, and he's still an enigma," says Chicago Sun-Times media reporter Robert Feder.

Forbes

He discussed a wide range of subjects during the interview, which he granted because I had covered him as a Washington correspondent for Minnesota newspapers since he arrived on the Court five years earlier.

Huffington Post

Now, when a fresh opponent comes on, a fresh candidate comes on such as Obama, and let me say, I don't know a lot about Obama's press operations - I have not covered him to any great extent, but you know he hasn't been as accessible as would be ideal for reporters, to say the least.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In scenarios where "I covered him" suggests protection, clarify the means and extent of the protection offered to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "I covered him" without specifying the context. Without context, it's unclear whether you're referring to journalistic reporting, providing physical protection, or concealing someone's actions. Always provide clarifying details.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I covered him" functions as a declarative statement indicating a past action performed by the speaker. It generally implies the speaker undertook some form of responsibility or activity related to the person referred to as "him". As per Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I covered him" is a versatile expression with multiple meanings, ranging from journalistic reporting to offering protection or concealment. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. The context is crucial for understanding the intended meaning. While common in News & Media, the phrase is also found in Scientific and Formal & Business domains. Related phrases include "I shielded him" and "I reported on him", each emphasizing different aspects of the action. When using "I covered him", clarity is key to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I shielded him

Emphasizes the act of protecting someone from harm or scrutiny.

I protected him

Highlights the act of ensuring someone's safety or well-being.

I reported on him

Specifically refers to journalistic coverage of a person.

I was his responsibility

Shifts the focus to being in charge or accountable for someone.

I was in charge of him

Highlights the state of supervising someone.

I oversaw him

Focuses on the act of monitoring and directing someone's activities.

I took care of him

Emphasizes providing care and support.

I watched over him

Focuses on supervision and ensuring safety from a distance.

I had his back

Highlights providing support and assistance.

I took responsibility for him

Focuses on the act of accepting accountability for someone's actions or well-being.

FAQs

What does "I covered him" mean?

The meaning of "I covered him" depends on the context. It can mean you reported on him as a journalist, protected him from harm, or concealed his actions.

What can I say instead of "I covered him" when referring to journalistic reporting?

You can use alternatives like "I reported on him", "I wrote about him", or "I covered his activities" depending on the specific aspect you want to emphasize.

Is "I covered him up" the same as "I covered him"?

No, "I covered him up" usually implies concealing something, often a mistake or wrongdoing, whereas "I covered him" can also refer to reporting on someone or providing protection.

When is it appropriate to use "I covered him"?

It's appropriate to use "I covered him" when you want to concisely express that you reported on someone, protected them, or concealed their actions, provided the context makes your meaning clear. Otherwise, use a more specific alternative.