conduct surveillance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "conduct surveillance" is correct and usable in written English.
It is most often used to refer to the monitoring of a person or an area using cameras or other recording devices. For example: The police conducted surveillance of the suspect's house in order to determine if criminal activity was taking place.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

An integrity-control officer, William Brosnan, "will conduct surveillance," a memo said.

The New Yorker

"But they are not counter-terrorism experts, nor do they conduct surveillance on young people.

The Guardian

"We need no longer conduct surveillance to determine the existence of the virus," he said.

The New York Times

Helicopters scanned from the skies, and police used a drone and two robots to conduct surveillance.

The Washington Post

Multiple Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act judges, all appointed by Republicans, approved warrants to conduct surveillance.

The Washington Post

"The trip wasn't so that Gil could conduct surveillance on Kim," she said.

The New York Times

Obama is right that lots of other govts conduct surveillance without regard to privacy, too.

Independent

Governments have spent billions to develop tools to conduct surveillance and hack into computer systems.

The New York Times

At one point he said the F.B.I. could not conduct surveillance unless it suspected wrongdoing.

The New York Times

Some officials are now saying they need broader authority to conduct surveillance of potential terrorists, no matter where they are.

The New York Times

After 9/11, the Patriot Act made it even easier to conduct surveillance, especially in hot pursuit of terrorists.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about security or law enforcement, "conduct surveillance" provides a clear and professional way to describe the act of monitoring individuals or locations. Ensure your writing specifies the purpose and legal basis for such activities to maintain transparency and ethical considerations.

Common error

While grammatically correct, using "conduct surveillance" in everyday conversation or informal writing can sound overly formal or even suspicious. Opt for simpler terms like "watch" or "observe" when describing casual monitoring.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "conduct surveillance" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun. According to Ludwig AI, it's used to describe the action of monitoring a person or area. Examples from Ludwig show its application in contexts ranging from police investigations to scientific studies.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "conduct surveillance" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to describe the act of monitoring individuals or locations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's prevalent in contexts such as news reporting, law enforcement, and scientific research. While the phrase is widely understood, it is more appropriate for formal or neutral communication rather than casual conversation. When using "conduct surveillance", ensure the context justifies the level of formality and specificity it implies. Alternatives like "monitor activity" or "observe behavior" may be more suitable for less formal situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

monitor activity

Focuses more on the act of watching activity in general, rather than specifically using surveillance methods.

track movements

Specifically focuses on following the physical location of a subject.

observe behavior

Emphasizes watching actions or conduct, potentially without the use of specific equipment.

keep a close watch

Suggests vigilant observation, often without the use of technology.

keep under observation

Highlights maintaining someone or something under scrutiny, which can be less formal than surveillance.

perform reconnaissance

More specific to gathering information, often in a military or strategic context.

carry out intelligence gathering

Focuses on the collection of secret information, suggesting a higher level of sophistication.

maintain vigilance

Implies a state of being alert and watchful, rather than actively surveilling.

oversee operations

Describes a managerial role in monitoring activities, not necessarily involving direct surveillance.

supervise closely

Emphasizes direct oversight and management of a process or individual.

FAQs

How to use "conduct surveillance" in a sentence?

You can use "conduct surveillance" to describe the act of monitoring a person, place, or activity. For example, "The FBI will "conduct surveillance" on suspected terrorists."

What can I say instead of "conduct surveillance"?

You can use alternatives like "monitor activity", "observe behavior", or "keep under observation" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "conduct surveillance" or "do surveillance"?

"Conduct surveillance" is the more grammatically correct and professionally accepted phrase. "Do surveillance" is less formal and less common.

What's the difference between "conduct surveillance" and "perform reconnaissance"?

"Conduct surveillance" generally refers to monitoring activities or locations, while "perform reconnaissance" typically involves gathering information, often in a military or strategic setting.