sole supervisor

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sole supervisor" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone who is solely in charge or who has the sole authority of a certain task or group of people. For example, "The company has appointed John as the sole supervisor of the accounting department."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But in the gay bars of Polk and Castro streets, Mr. White was remembered unkindly as the sole supervisor to vote against an ordinance forbidding discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Teenage counselors-in-training, who are not paid, are not fingerprinted but are never left as sole supervisors of the children, she added.

Los Angeles Times

Consideration was also given to ensuring the sample included a mix of years of experience supervising, levels of remoteness of geographical locations, practice owners and non-owners, sole supervisors, and supervisors in multi-doctor practices and Aboriginal Medical Services.

BMC Medical Education

Unlike Ms. Bysiewicz in Connecticut, who is the state's sole election supervisor and holds an elected office, Ms. Berman and Ms. Donohue are part of a four-member board that must equally represent both parties and is appointed by the governor.

The New York Times

Burks, who is black, said she was the sole adult supervisor of her daughter's event.

Huffington Post

Mr. Waters, a supervisor at a local packaging company and the family's sole breadwinner, fell behind on his mortgage two years ago after his property taxes jumped unexpectedly.

The New York Times

One worker there said she was kicked by a supervisor last year after making a mistake while cutting rubber for soles.

Huffington Post

"The sole purpose of this agreement for both parties is to avoid the costs involved in litigation," San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors Chairman James Ramos said in a statement.

Los Angeles Times

And sole.

The New York Times

his supervisor.

The Guardian - Books

And will it have sole authority to issue or withdraw banking licences?To make a banking union work, the euro zone will have to create more than just a central supervisor.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use “sole supervisor” to clearly delineate responsibility and avoid confusion, especially in structured organizations where roles can overlap. For example, 'She was appointed as the sole supervisor to streamline decision-making.'

Common error

Avoid using "sole supervisor" when the context already implies that there is only one supervisor. Overusing 'sole' can make your writing sound redundant; in many cases, 'supervisor' alone is sufficient.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sole supervisor" functions as a compound noun, where "sole" modifies and specifies the type of supervisor. It indicates that the supervisor is the only one responsible for overseeing a task, project, or team. Ludwig AI confirms the expression correctness and its common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sole supervisor" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase for designating a single individual responsible for supervision. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for use in many contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and professional settings. The phrase helps to clarify roles and responsibilities, ensuring no ambiguity. However, it's important to avoid redundancy by only using "sole" when it adds necessary clarity. Consider alternatives like "single supervisor" or "only supervisor" depending on the nuance needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

single supervisor

Replaces "sole" with "single", maintaining the meaning of only one supervisor.

only supervisor

Substitutes "sole" with "only", emphasizing the exclusivity of the supervisory role.

exclusive supervisor

Uses "exclusive" to highlight the unique and individual nature of the supervisory role.

lead supervisor

Indicates the supervisor has the primary or leading role, but not necessarily the only one.

chief supervisor

Implies the highest-ranking supervisor, but doesn't exclude the possibility of other supervisors.

head supervisor

Denotes the supervisor in charge, carrying a formal connotation.

sole manager

Changes "supervisor" to "manager", indicating a broader scope of responsibility.

individual supervisor

Emphasizes the isolated or distinct nature of the supervisor.

primary supervisor

Indicates the main supervisor, which can be different from the only supervisor.

principal supervisor

Suggests a leading or key supervisor, potentially among others.

FAQs

How can I use "sole supervisor" in a sentence?

You can use "sole supervisor" to indicate that someone is the only person responsible for overseeing a task or team. For example: "She was the sole supervisor of the project, responsible for all aspects from start to finish."

What's the difference between "sole supervisor" and "lead supervisor"?

"Sole supervisor" implies that there is only one supervisor, while "lead supervisor" suggests a primary supervisor among others. A "lead supervisor" may delegate tasks and manage other supervisors, whereas a "sole supervisor" is entirely in charge.

Is it redundant to say "sole supervisor"?

While it can be, it's not always redundant. If the context doesn't explicitly state that there's only one supervisor, using "sole supervisor" clarifies the unique role and avoids potential ambiguity.

What are some alternatives to "sole supervisor"?

Alternatives include "single supervisor", "only supervisor", or "exclusive supervisor", depending on the nuance you want to convey.