his superior

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "his superior" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to someone who holds a higher position or rank than another person, typically in a workplace or organizational context. Example: "He reported directly to his superior, who was responsible for overseeing the entire project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

His superior, Cmdr.

The New York Times - Magazine

Perhaps most important are his superior crops.

The New York Times - Magazine

He paints many of his superior officers.

The New Yorker

He asked his superior officers to grant him a leave.

The New York Times

Everyone recognizes his superior authority, and everyone pledges allegiance.

The New Yorker

He showed the pictures to his superior officers, medics, lawyers.

The New York Times

His superior, General Massu, now 92, feels differently.

The New York Times

He is a genius of a pitcher who attacks hitters as much with his superior intellect as with his superior arm.

The New York Times - Sports

His superior elegance and skill are obvious even to the untrained eye".

The New Yorker

His superior pressured him to diagnose that injury as personality disorder.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

His superior tie-break points made him the winner.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "his superior", ensure the context clearly indicates who "his" refers to in order to avoid ambiguity. For example, in the sentence 'John spoke to his superior', it should be evident that 'his' refers to John.

Common error

Avoid assuming "his superior" has absolute power in all situations. A superior's authority is usually limited to specific domains, such as professional or military contexts. So, while "his superior" may have authority in one area, it doesn't automatically extend to others.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "his superior" functions as a possessive determiner ("his") modifying a noun ("superior"). It designates an individual who holds a higher rank, position, or level of authority relative to another. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "his superior" is a frequently used and grammatically correct phrase that indicates someone holding a higher position of authority. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage spans various contexts, from formal professional settings to news reports and encyclopedic entries. When writing, ensure the referent of "his" is clear to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "his boss" or "his manager" for less formal contexts. While commonly used, it's important to acknowledge that a superior's authority is typically limited to specific domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

his boss

Replaces 'superior' with a more informal term for someone in charge.

his manager

Similar to 'boss' but often used in more formal business settings.

his supervisor

Another formal term for someone who oversees his work.

his commanding officer

Specifically refers to a superior in a military context.

his director

Indicates someone who manages or leads a specific department or project.

his senior

Highlights the superior's greater experience or tenure.

his higher-up

A more casual term for someone in a higher position.

his head

Implies a leader or chief, often of a specific department.

his controller

A person who has the control of a specific subject.

his direct report

Replaces 'superior' with the person the subject report to.

FAQs

How can I use "his superior" in a sentence?

Use "his superior" to indicate someone who holds a higher rank or position of authority over him. For example: "He reported the incident to his superior."

What is a more informal alternative to "his superior"?

If the context allows for a less formal tone, you could use alternatives like "his boss" or "his manager".

When is it appropriate to use "his superior" instead of "his colleague"?

"His superior" is appropriate when referring to someone in a higher position within a hierarchy, while "his colleague" refers to someone who is an equal. For instance, "His colleague offered support" implies a peer relationship, unlike "his superior issued instructions".

Is there a difference between "his superior" and "his supervisor"?

While "his superior" and "his supervisor" are often interchangeable, "his superior" can sometimes imply a higher level of authority or rank. A supervisor is generally directly responsible for overseeing his work, whereas "his superior" might be further up the chain of command.