presiding over

USAGE SUMMARY

"presiding over" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to have authority or control over something or someone. It is often used in a legal or formal context, such as in a court or meeting. Example: The judge presided over the trial, ensuring that all parties followed proper procedures and rules. Other examples: - The CEO will be presiding over the company's annual shareholders meeting. - The teacher presided over the classroom, maintaining order and directing the lesson. - The Queen presided over the royal banquet, greeting guests and giving a speech. - The chairman presided over the board meeting, leading discussions and making decisions. - The president will preside over the ceremony, presenting awards and giving a speech.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Both were generals presiding over a defining war and two-term presidents presiding over a defining peace.

Los Angeles Times

Judge William K. Sessions III is presiding over the trial.

The New York Times

Mr. Anderszewski, presiding over Mozart's Concertos Nos.

The New York Times - Arts

Presiding over it all was Catherine Harlé herself.

The New York Times

Presiding over it all was Bill Clinton.

The New York Times

It certainly can't do it presiding over 9 percent unemployment.

The New York Times

The judge presiding over her lawsuit appeared skeptical, too.

The New York Times

You are a broken man, presiding over a broken society.

The Guardian

Rarely are lawyers presiding over early-stage talks.

The New York Times - Tech

He is presiding over two programs at the academy.

The New York Times - Arts

Diplomats, presiding over general cutbacks, did not expect such tenacity.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "presiding over" when you want to emphasize the authority or control someone has in a specific situation, particularly in formal or official contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "presiding over" when describing informal situations or tasks where there is no formal authority or official role involved. It's better suited for scenarios requiring leadership or governance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "presiding over" functions as a verbal phrase acting as part of the predicate in a sentence. Ludwig AI suggests that it indicates the exercise of authority or control in a given situation. As such, it often denotes a leadership role or governance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "presiding over" is a correct and commonly used prepositional phrase that signifies authority and control, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's most frequently found in news and media, formal business settings, and general contexts like wiki articles. When writing, it's essential to consider the level of formality required and avoid using it in informal situations. Remember that related terms like "leading" and "overseeing" may offer more nuanced ways to express similar ideas. The sources used for this analysis are generally authoritative, ensuring a high level of reliability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overseeing

Emphasizes the act of watching and managing activities or processes.

leading

Focuses on guiding and directing, rather than necessarily having formal authority.

supervising

Implies a more hands-on, managerial role in directing operations.

chairing

Specifically refers to the act of leading a meeting or formal gathering.

heading

Suggests being in charge or at the top of an organization or effort.

managing

Highlights the responsibility of controlling and organizing resources or people.

governing

Implies the act of ruling or controlling with established authority.

administering

Focuses on the practical application of rules or policies.

controlling

Emphasizes the power and influence over a situation or entity.

officiating

Describes the action of formally conducting a ceremony or event.

FAQs

How to use "presiding over" in a sentence?

Use "presiding over" to indicate someone is in charge of or has authority over a meeting, event, or organization. For example: "The judge was "presiding over" the trial."

What can I say instead of "presiding over"?

You can use alternatives like "leading", "overseeing", or "chairing" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "presiding over" or "presiding at"?

"Presiding over" is generally used when someone is in charge of something, while "presiding at" is less common but can refer to a specific location. "The judge was "presiding over" the meeting" is more common than "presiding at the meeting".

What's the difference between "presiding over" and "managing"?

"Presiding over" often implies a higher level of authority, especially in formal settings, whereas "managing" typically refers to the practical control and organization of resources or people.