our superiors

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "our superiors" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to individuals or groups who hold a higher position or authority in a workplace or organizational context. Example: "We must present our findings to our superiors at the next meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You are not our superiors.

Yale University

The pathologists were our superiors.

The Guardian

• Oh, how we love our superiors.

The Guardian - Money

"Our superiors haven't told us anything of this".

The New York Times

"I think they'll be our superiors," concludes Colin Morgan.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He knew that we have to glorify our superiors, but with music they can understand.

The New Yorker

"We have to show our superiors something," one of them said.

The New York Times

"I cannot say anything until I receive something from our superiors," he said.

The New York Times

When interacting with our superiors, we naturally adopt a more deferential low-power behavioral style.

Harvard Business Review

"Our superiors were broadcasters," Morphett says, pointing to Fitzmaurice as a key mentor.

The Guardian - Sport

Our superiors signed them and we sent them to the military courts.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "our superiors", ensure the context clearly indicates the group to which 'our' refers to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify 'our team's superiors' instead of just "our superiors" if the team context isn't obvious.

Common error

Avoid using "our superiors" in casual conversations or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for more relaxed terms like "our bosses" or "our managers" in such situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "our superiors" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts. It commonly identifies individuals or groups holding higher positions within a hierarchy.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "our superiors" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase referring to individuals holding higher positions of authority. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. Predominantly found in News & Media, Academic, and Formal & Business contexts, it serves to identify reporting structures or acknowledge organizational hierarchies. While "our superiors" is generally neutral to formal in register, more informal alternatives such as "our bosses" or "our managers" may be more suitable for casual conversations. It's crucial to ensure clarity by defining the group to which 'our' refers, if the context isn't self-evident.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

our bosses

Refers to immediate supervisors or managers.

our supervisors

Highlights the supervisory role over a team or department.

our managers

Similar to "our bosses", focusing on the managerial role.

our leaders

Emphasizes the leadership aspect of those in higher positions.

our commanders

Specifically used in military or hierarchical organizations.

our seniors

Focuses on seniority and experience within an organization.

our directors

Often used in corporate or organizational settings.

our executives

Refers to top-level management in a company.

our higher-ups

An informal way to refer to those in higher positions.

our betters

Implies a sense of deference and respect towards those in authority.

FAQs

What is the meaning of "our superiors"?

The phrase "our superiors" refers to people who are in a higher rank or position than us, usually in a professional or organizational setting.

How can I use "our superiors" in a sentence?

Example: "We must submit the report to "our superiors" by Friday."

What are some alternatives to saying "our superiors"?

You can use alternatives such as "our bosses", "our managers", or "our leaders" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "our superiors"?

It is appropriate to use "our superiors" in formal or professional settings when referring to individuals who hold higher positions of authority or rank within an organization. Avoid it in informal conversation where "our bosses" or "our higher ups" may be more appropriate.