provide surveillance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "provide surveillance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where monitoring or observing a situation, person, or area is required, often in security or law enforcement discussions. Example: "The security team was tasked to provide surveillance of the premises during the event to ensure safety."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

It will provide surveillance aircraft, a team to embed with the Nigerian military and a team to work on analysis.

The Guardian

Canada, meanwhile, has agreed to provide surveillance equipment to help the Nigerians track down the location of the girls, thought to be mainly in the Sambisa reserve.

Independent

The director-general said in most cases the BBC used private detectives to provide surveillance or security in support of journalists.

Independent

The immediate impetus for a drone base in the region is to provide surveillance assistance to the French-led operation in Mali.

The New York Times

A spokesman for the company recommended that clients, who are largely law enforcement and national security agencies who use Hacking Team to provide surveillance capabilities, suspend their operations while the company determines what has been exposed.

The Guardian - Tech

In December 2006, Suffolk police asked Soca to provide surveillance officers to follow suspects linked to the murders of five women who were sex workers in Ipswich, the hearing was told.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

It has also provided surveillance drones.

The Guardian

Months later, flight crews provided surveillance of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

The New York Times

The UK currently provides surveillance and intelligence support for the strikes undertaken by the US.

The Guardian

We are already engaged in military action in Iraq and providing surveillance and logistical support in Syria.

The Guardian - Opinion

He said Britain was helping its allies by providing surveillance and logistical support for the strikes over Syria.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing security measures, specify the type of "surveillance" being provided (e.g., video surveillance, electronic surveillance) for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "provide surveillance" when simpler terms like "watch" or "monitor" would suffice. Overusing formal language can make your writing sound stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "provide surveillance" functions as a verb-noun construction, where "provide" acts as the verb and "surveillance" as the noun. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

37%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "provide surveillance" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe the action of monitoring or observing, especially for security or investigative purposes. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts, with a neutral to formal register. When writing, be specific about the type of surveillance and avoid overuse in simplistic contexts. Related phrases include "conduct monitoring" and "offer oversight".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conduct monitoring

Replaces "provide" with "conduct", focusing on the act of monitoring.

ensure monitoring

Highlights the assurance aspect of monitoring rather than the act of providing.

offer oversight

Substitutes "surveillance" with "oversight", emphasizing the supervisory aspect.

implement monitoring

Focuses on setting up and using monitoring systems.

carry out observation

Uses "carry out" instead of "provide" and "observation" for "surveillance", shifting the focus to the process.

undertake observation

Emphasizes the undertaking of observation activities.

maintain vigilance

Focuses on the continuous aspect of surveillance using "maintain vigilance".

administer oversight

Highlights the managerial aspect of providing oversight.

perform reconnaissance

Replaces "surveillance" with "reconnaissance", implying a more investigative approach.

exercise vigilance

Suggests a proactive and alert approach to surveillance.

FAQs

How can I use "provide surveillance" in a sentence?

You can use "provide surveillance" to describe actions taken to monitor a location, person, or activity, such as: "The police will "provide surveillance" of the suspect's residence."

What are some alternatives to "provide surveillance"?

Alternatives include "conduct monitoring", "offer oversight", or simply "monitor", depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "provide surveillance" or "conduct surveillance"?

Both "provide surveillance" and "conduct surveillance" are correct, but "provide" emphasizes the act of supplying the service, while "conduct" emphasizes the action of carrying out the surveillance.

What does it mean to "provide surveillance" in a technical context?

In a technical context, to "provide surveillance" often refers to using technology such as cameras, sensors, or software to monitor activities or gather data for security or analysis.