put on the watch

USAGE SUMMARY

"put on the watch" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used in a variety of situations, but it typically refers to the act of physically placing a wristwatch on one's wrist. For example: As she got ready for the day, Sarah put on her watch and jewelry. Or, it could also be used in a figurative sense, to describe someone assuming a specific role or responsibility: John was chosen to put on the watch and monitor the security cameras for the night shift.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The heavyweight boxing champion, Muhammad Ali, was put on the watch list in about 1967 after he spoke out about Vietnam – he was jailed having refused to be drafted into the army, was stripped of his title, and banned from fighting – and is thought to have remained a target of surveillance for the next six years.

The Guardian

He was arrested, cautioned and put on the watch list of the sex offender register.

Huffington Post

Put on the watch.

WikiHow

Kennedy also was put on the "Watch List" last week for the Lombardi Trophy, given to the nation's top lineman.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

It's highly relatable watching Nada put on the glasses that reveal aliens are controlling the world.

Vice

Sweat, 35, will be put on suicide watch, the corrections department noted.

Los Angeles Times

Its bonds were put on negative watch by the ratings agencies in recent weeks.

The New York Times

Markoff was put on suicide watch at the Boston jail where he is being held.

The Guardian

She was put on suicide watch inside the Warren juvenile detention center more than once.

Huffington Post

Rather tight, perhaps, especially since the company was this week put on negative watch by Moody's (the agency that boosted Russia's sovereign debt rating to investment grade three weeks ago).

The Economist

Arias was put on suicide watch right after the verdict, but now is in regular custody.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "put on the watch", ensure the context clarifies whether it's a literal action of wearing a wristwatch or a figurative assumption of responsibility, to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "put on the watch" in contexts where "monitor", "oversee", or "supervise" would be more appropriate, as this phrase is primarily associated with the physical act of wearing a timepiece.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put on the watch" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of wearing a wristwatch. Ludwig AI, like the available examples suggest, shows its use is typically straightforward, referring to the act of placing a watch on one's wrist.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "put on the watch" is a grammatically sound and straightforward expression primarily used to describe the action of wearing a wristwatch. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase follows standard English grammar rules. While its occurrence is relatively rare, as evidenced by the limited number of examples, its meaning is generally clear and unambiguous. The phrase most commonly appears in News & Media, Wiki, and Science contexts. When using "put on the watch", it is important to ensure the context clearly indicates whether it refers to the physical act of wearing a watch or the figurative assumption of duty to avoid any potential for misinterpretation. Alternatives such as "wear the watch" can be used to maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wear the watch

Focuses specifically on the act of having the watch on one's wrist.

fasten the watch

Emphasizes securing the watch around the wrist.

strap on the watch

Similar to 'fasten', highlighting the act of attaching the watch.

place the watch on the wrist

A more descriptive and literal alternative.

secure the watch

Highlights the action of making sure the watch is safely on.

fit the watch

Emphasizes ensuring the watch fits properly.

adjust the watch on the wrist

Focuses on the adjustment after it is put on.

get the watch on

A more informal way to express the action.

have the watch on

Indicates the state of wearing the watch.

wear the timepiece

Uses a more formal term for 'watch'.

FAQs

How do I use "put on the watch" in a sentence?

You can use "put on the watch" to describe the action of wearing a wristwatch, as in "He "put on the watch" before leaving the house". Alternatively, it can describe assigning someone as the person to "be on the lookout".

What are some alternatives to "put on the watch"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "wear the watch" when referring to the physical action, or "keep an eye on" when referring to keeping watch.

Is it correct to say "I put on the watch" or "I wore the watch"?

Both phrases are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Put on the watch" describes the act of placing the watch on your wrist, while "wore the watch" describes the state of having the watch on your wrist.

When can "put on the watch" be used figuratively?

Figuratively, "put on the watch" is rarely used, and not commonly accepted. One can rather employ expressions like "put on the guards" which refers to a state of readiness, alertness or being prepared for any unexpected event