supervise

USAGE SUMMARY

'supervise' is a correct and commonly used word in written English.
You can use it when referring to overseeing or managing the work or behavior of another person or group. For example: The manager supervises all the activities in the office.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We can't constantly supervise everyone in football," insisted Blatter.

The Guardian - Sport

NHSE and the TDA are two of the three national NHS bodies which, along with Monitor, supervise semi-independent foundation trust hospitals.

The Guardian

"Maryland law clearly allows a 13-year-old to supervise visitation with a younger child," Stansfield wrote.

The Guardian

I manage the day-to-day operations of our interpretive division, that is, I supervise the permanent and seasonal rangers who contact the public every day.

The Guardian - Opinion

Obeid's lawyer argued that taking away his passport could affect his ability to supervise renovations on a family home he had inherited in Lebanon.

The Guardian

There is currently no remit for psychologists to go into schools or supervise midwives.

The Guardian

Hopes that a compromise deal was imminent helped rally the markets, as the FTSE rose to a new record high in London, despite Athens insisting that Yanis Varoufakis would continue to supervise talks.

The Guardian

Rice had stipulated that McAleer could not supervise the boy alone.

The Guardian

If the drinking age were lowered, parties could be held on campus and colleges could supervise them better, critics say.* On December 5th Will Dana, the managing editor of Rolling Stone, issued a note to readers saying that the gang rape story they published may have been inaccurate.

The Economist

When Burley Griffin eventually travelled to Canberra to supervise construction, he had to spend the next few years adjusting his plans to fit his first-hand observations of the site.At least Burley Griffin did adapt.

The Economist

They supervise homework; attend parents' evenings; go to prenatal and parenting classes; read blockbusters about child psychology.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that individuals being supervised are aware of the performance metrics and expectations associated with their tasks.

Common error

Avoid assigning multiple supervisors to a single individual without clearly defined areas of responsibility, as this can lead to confusion and conflicting instructions.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "supervise" is as a transitive verb, indicating the action of overseeing or directing someone or something. It takes a direct object, specifying what is being supervised. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and commonly used verb.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "supervise" is a commonly used transitive verb that denotes overseeing or managing tasks and personnel. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent application across various contexts, particularly in news, business, and scientific domains. When using "supervise", it's crucial to clearly define roles and responsibilities to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "oversee", "manage", and "monitor" offer nuanced ways to express similar concepts. The high source quality and consistent usage patterns underscore the phrase's reliability and relevance in formal and professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

oversee

Single word substitution, maintaining the same core meaning of directing and controlling.

manage

Single word substitution, implying control and responsibility over tasks or people.

monitor

Single word substitution, focusing on observing and checking progress or quality.

administer

Implies a more formal and structured approach to managing tasks and resources.

direct

Focuses on giving instructions and guiding actions.

guide

Suggests leading and advising, often in a supportive role.

regulate

Highlights the aspect of controlling activities according to rules and standards.

inspect

Suggests a more focused and detailed review to ensure compliance or quality.

control

Implies having power to determine the actions or behavior of others.

keep an eye on

More informal way of expressing supervision through vigilance and observation.

FAQs

How can I use "supervise" in a sentence?

You can use "supervise" to describe overseeing tasks or personnel, like: "The manager will "supervise" the project's progress.".

What are some alternatives to "supervise"?

Alternatives include "oversee", "manage", or "monitor", depending on the specific context and degree of control.

What's the difference between "supervise" and "monitor"?

"Supervise" typically involves more direct control and guidance, whereas "monitor" is more about observing and tracking progress.

Is it correct to say "supervise of" instead of "supervise"?

No, the correct usage is simply "supervise". You "supervise" something, not "supervise of" something. For example, "supervise the work" is correct.