supervision

USAGE SUMMARY

'supervision' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to the act of overseeing, monitoring, or managing a task or activity. Example sentence: The supervisor provided close supervision of the employees during the project.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Both are intended to correct a fundamental flaw in European bank regulation and supervision; namely, that although banks are free to operate across borders, they are supervised only by their home countries.

The Economist

(It may have banged another nail into the coffin of elected local authorities with its suggestion that electoral officials need closer central supervision and more uniform standards).

The Guardian

Under expert supervision, you'll take on one of the most demanding tasks any writer can face – to work on creating the first draft of an original novel.

The Guardian

And just as dog owners say: "It's not the dog that's dangerous, it's the owner," so it could be the need for parental supervision rather than the toy that's to blame.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

At this year's G20 meeting, it was "rightwing" France and Germany which – having described the financial crisis as the result of Anglo-Saxon "light-touch regulation" – demanded more stringent government supervision of offshore banking and hedge funds, while "social democrat" Britain had doubts about the efficacy of interfering with the private sector.

The Guardian - Opinion

Both the two main remaining factions are based in Pakistan: one is reported to be based in the southern port city of Karachi and under the supervision of Pakistani security services there, and the other is increasingly close to al-Qaida, officials in Delhi believe.

The Guardian

One night she was taken to a house in Kiriri, a smart residential district in Bujumbura, Burundi's capital, where she was held for three months under the supervision of men in police uniform.

The Guardian

The Northern Irish astrophysicist discovered the first radio pulsars as a postgraduate student under the supervision of Antony Hewish, but it was he who shared the 1974 Nobel prize for Physics with Martin Ryle, not Bell Burnell.

The Guardian

Gove's ambition for all schools to become academies started the transfer of the nation's schools from local authority to ministerial supervision.

The Guardian

The Chinese ships were "taking advantage of weak enforcement and supervision from local and Chinese authorities to the detriment of local fishermen and the environment", said Rashid Kang, head of Greenpeace East Asia's China ocean campaign.

The Guardian

But he added that as the reoffending level was higher for those under less supervision, the extension of public protection measures should be considered.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "supervision" to describe structured oversight roles, especially in formal contexts like education, finance, or law enforcement.

Common error

Avoid using "supervision" when describing casual observation or assistance. "Guidance" or "support" may be more appropriate if the oversight is not formal or structured.

Linguistic Context

The noun "supervision" functions primarily to denote the act of overseeing, directing, or managing activities or individuals. Ludwig AI shows its use in contexts ranging from parental oversight to financial regulation, indicating its broad applicability. "Supervision" also denotes a tutorial for students.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "supervision" is a commonly used noun that signifies the act of overseeing, directing, or managing. Ludwig AI confirms it functions primarily to denote oversight in various contexts, ranging from parental guidance to financial regulation. It carries a neutral to professional tone, making it suitable for formal settings. As Ludwig examples show, while "supervision" is widespread, it's important to ensure the word accurately reflects the level and nature of the oversight being described, and not to exaggerate the degree of control or direction being exerted. Related terms include "oversight", "guidance", and "management", each carrying slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

oversight

Focuses more on the act of overseeing and ensuring compliance.

monitoring

Highlights the continuous observation and tracking of activities.

guidance

Emphasizes providing direction and advice rather than strict control.

management

Highlights the organizational and administrative aspects of control.

control

Indicates a stronger degree of authority and regulation.

direction

Focuses on providing a course of action or instructions.

regulation

Refers to the establishment and enforcement of rules and standards.

administration

Emphasizes the organizational and procedural aspects of oversight.

surveillance

Implies a more watchful and often discreet form of monitoring.

inspection

Highlights the process of examining and assessing something for quality or compliance.

FAQs

How is "supervision" typically used in a sentence?

The term "supervision" is generally used as a noun to describe the act of overseeing or directing something. For example, "The project was completed under the direct supervision of the manager."

What are some alternatives to the word "supervision"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "oversight", "guidance", or "management".

When is it appropriate to use "supervision" versus "monitoring"?

"Supervision" implies active direction and control, while "monitoring" suggests observation and tracking without necessarily intervening. Use "supervision" when active management is involved.

Is "supervision" a formal or informal term?

"Supervision" is generally considered a formal term, suitable for professional, academic, or official contexts. In informal settings, words like "watching over" or "keeping an eye on" might be more appropriate.