be presided over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be presided over" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone is in a position of authority or control over a meeting, event, or situation. Example: "The meeting will be presided over by the committee chairperson, who will guide the discussion and ensure that all voices are heard."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The holiday will be presided over by a President who scarcely seems to comprehend King's principles.

The New Yorker

Meetings shall be presided over by the president, unless she is absent, and in that case the treasurer shall preside.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Meetings shall be presided over by the president, unless he or she is absent, and in that case the vice president shall preside.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

This was the first Alumni Day to be presided over by new president Christopher Eisgruber '83, who was joined at the morning lectures by his three living predecessors, Shirley Tilghman, Harold Shapiro *64, and William Bowen *58.

Princeton University

It will be presided over by Judge Nicholas Hilliard QC.

The Guardian

Meanwhile, the cricket board should be presided over by an "outsider".

The Economist

The administration in Europe would be presided over by a Council for Asiatic Government.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The pilot project will be presided over by Iain Fleming at Glasgow sheriff court.

The Times

Thursday's hearing will be presided over by Anthony Davis of England as the independent judicial officer.

The Guardian - Sport

Cases were to be presided over by the European court of human rights in Strasbourg.

The Guardian - Opinion

The criminal trial will be presided over by Judge Frederic Block of the Federal District Court for the Eastern District.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be presided over" when you want to emphasize the formal authority or control someone has over a meeting, event, or legal proceeding.

Common error

Avoid using "be presided over" when active voice is more direct and appropriate. For instance, instead of "The meeting will be presided over by the chairperson", consider "The chairperson will preside over the meeting."

Linguistic Context

"Be presided over" functions as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that a person or entity will exercise authority and control over a particular event, meeting, or situation. Ludwig's examples confirm its prevalent use in contexts where formal governance is established.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

22%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Science

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be presided over" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive verb phrase indicating authority and control. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's common in news, academic, and formal business contexts. When writing, it's essential to consider whether the active voice might provide a more direct alternative. Remember to use the phrase to emphasize formal authority, and be mindful of contexts where alternative phrases like "be chaired by" or "be led by" might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be chaired by

Focuses specifically on the act of chairing a meeting or event.

be headed by

Suggests leadership or being in charge of a group or organization.

be overseen by

Emphasizes the act of supervising or managing something.

be led by

Indicates guidance and direction provided by someone.

be governed by

Highlights the rule or management of a system or organization.

be conducted by

Refers to the act of managing or carrying out a process or event.

be moderated by

Suggests guiding a discussion or debate to ensure fairness.

be administered by

Implies the management and execution of administrative tasks.

be superintended by

Emphasizes a high level of oversight and management.

be orchestrated by

Highlights the careful planning and coordination of an event or process.

FAQs

What does "be presided over" mean?

The phrase "be presided over" means to be in a position of authority or control, typically during a meeting, event, or legal proceeding. It indicates who is leading or managing the process.

How can I use "be presided over" in a sentence?

You can use "be presided over" to indicate who is in charge, such as, "The conference will "be presided over" by the CEO".

What are some alternatives to "be presided over"?

Alternatives to "be presided over" include "be chaired by", "be headed by", or "be overseen by". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "preside"?

While "be presided over" (passive voice) is grammatically correct, using the active voice (e.g., "The chairperson will preside") can often make your writing more direct and concise.