comprehensive surveillance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "comprehensive surveillance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an extensive or thorough monitoring system or process, often in contexts related to security, data collection, or research. Example: "The government implemented comprehensive surveillance measures to ensure national security and monitor potential threats."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The ethics team did not shrink from comprehensive surveillance.

The New York Times

Orwell thought we would be destroyed by the things we fear, particularly comprehensive surveillance.

The Guardian - Tech

Its mission – comprehensive surveillance – also happens to be their business model.

The Guardian - Opinion

It reduced their usage overall and built a comprehensive surveillance system to track and target overuse.

Nature

Comprehensive surveillance systems should be designed and implemented at local and national levels and a national resistance surveillance database operationalized.

International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents

But German wariness about comprehensive surveillance is easy to understand: after all, half of the country lived for decades under the Stasi's comprehensive analogue surveillance.

The Guardian - Tech

Two weeks ago, a bipartisan group of senators – myself included – kicked off this debate by introducing the first comprehensive surveillance reform bill to follow the June disclosures.

The Guardian - Opinion

Hong Kong has also introduced an extensive public education program and comprehensive surveillance system to prevent the occurrence or spread of avian flu in the community.

The New York Times - Travel

Ray Pellechia, a spokesman for the New York Stock Exchange, said: "The exchange has very aggressive and comprehensive surveillance and enforcement of the limit-order display rule.

The New York Times

Even in a city with less comprehensive surveillance, the police could systematize the process for gathering images and configure a searchable database.

The New Yorker

In one step, we've managed to justify the operation of the Panopticon" — an 18th-century design by British philosopher Jeremy Bentham for comprehensive surveillance of a prison population.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing security or public health, use "comprehensive surveillance" to convey a sense of thoroughness and preparedness. However, be mindful of potential negative connotations related to privacy concerns.

Common error

Avoid using "comprehensive surveillance" when simpler terms like "monitoring" or "observation" suffice. The term implies a significant undertaking and should be reserved for situations where such extensive measures are warranted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "comprehensive surveillance" functions as a noun phrase, where "comprehensive" modifies the noun "surveillance". This combination describes a thorough and extensive monitoring activity, as supported by Ludwig and evidenced in various examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "comprehensive surveillance" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe thorough monitoring or observation, as confirmed by Ludwig. While its usage is acceptable across different contexts, be aware of potential privacy implications. Alternatives like "extensive monitoring" or "thorough observation" can be used to mitigate these concerns. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is commonly employed in science and news media. Ensure its justified application in your writing to avoid sounding unnecessarily alarmist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extensive monitoring

Focuses on the breadth and reach of the monitoring activity.

thorough observation

Emphasizes the depth and meticulousness of the observation.

widespread tracking

Highlights the extensive coverage and tracing of activities.

complete oversight

Stresses the full and encompassing nature of the supervisory role.

full-scale monitoring

Implies a large-scale and comprehensive approach to monitoring.

total vigilance

Emphasizes constant and all-encompassing watchfulness.

blanket surveillance

Suggests a surveillance approach that covers everything without exception.

all-inclusive monitoring

Highlights the inclusive nature of the monitoring process.

end-to-end monitoring

Focuses on the monitoring of a process from beginning to end.

systematic observation

Emphasizes the structured and methodical nature of the observation process.

FAQs

How is "comprehensive surveillance" typically used in a sentence?

It's often used to describe systems or programs, such as "The government implemented a "comprehensive surveillance" system to monitor potential threats" or "The study requires "comprehensive surveillance" of antibiotic resistance".

What are some alternatives to "comprehensive surveillance"?

Depending on the context, you could use "extensive monitoring", "thorough observation", or "widespread tracking".

Is "comprehensive surveillance" a neutral term?

While grammatically correct, "comprehensive surveillance" can carry negative connotations related to privacy invasion. Consider your audience and the specific context when using this phrase, and be mindful that alternative phrases may exist that lack these negative connotations.

What is the difference between "comprehensive surveillance" and "basic monitoring"?

"Comprehensive surveillance" implies a very thorough, all-encompassing approach, whereas "basic monitoring" suggests a more limited and routine process. The former is more resource-intensive and is usually deployed when the stakes are high, such as during a public health crisis.