supervisors

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "supervisors" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to individuals who oversee or manage a group of employees or a specific task within an organization. Example: "The supervisors will conduct the performance reviews next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He told me of how supervisors scream at staff, of how drivers and loaders get called up the evening before or even the morning of a shift and are told not to worry about coming in on a set contract day.

The Guardian - Opinion

Local authorities, residential social landlords and even door supervisors now use the technology, while traffic wardens and environmental officers are amongst those trialing the cameras.

The Guardian

Keith Jarrett, national president of the BPA, said he was deeply disturbed at reports that supervisors had forwarded the email to junior staff.

The Guardian

I went to see a university counsellor, who I think was probably more used to stories about people's PhD supervisors giving them a hard time.

The Guardian

Experts on policing have expressed dismay that Rice was permitted to stay in his job after his supervisors were repeatedly informed of his actions, which extended to trying once again to have the man arrested on 29 March this year.

The Guardian

Then, confusion amongst the workforce about what intelligence activities were permissible "allowed contract analysts and government supervisors to collect information about US persons that fell outside of [a JIEDDO component's] foreign intelligence function".

The Guardian

Their supervisors, or 'community health extension workers', should then provide onsite support.

The Guardian

Reward systems can sometimes provoke bullying as aggressive tactics could be thought the best way to rid supervisors of either underperforming, or overperforming subordinates.

The Guardian

Instead, they are more motivated by recognition and respect from their peers than by the opinion of their supervisors.

The Guardian

The decision to begin listening to someone's phone calls or read their emails is made exclusively by NSA analysts and their "line supervisors".

The Guardian - Opinion

Another directive, "Arrestee and In-Custody Communications," says police supervisors must "allow visitation by attorneys".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "supervisors", ensure the context clearly defines the scope of their responsibilities and the individuals or tasks they oversee. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Don't use "supervisors" without specifying their area of responsibility or the team they manage. For instance, instead of saying "The supervisors approved the changes", specify "The project supervisors approved the changes" to provide context.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "supervisors" is as a plural noun. It refers to multiple individuals who have the authority and responsibility to oversee the work or activities of others. As evidenced by the examples provided by Ludwig, the word is commonly used in news, business, and academic contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "supervisors" is a grammatically correct and frequently used plural noun that refers to individuals responsible for overseeing others. According to Ludwig AI, the term is common across various contexts, including news, business, and academia. When using "supervisors", it's best to clearly define their specific responsibilities to avoid vagueness. Alternatives include "managers", "overseers", and "administrators", depending on the nuance you wish to convey. Common errors include using the term without specifying the area of responsibility. Authoritative sources like The Guardian and The Economist frequently employ this term. Overall, "supervisors" is a versatile and widely understood term for those in oversight roles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

managers

Replaces "supervisors" with a more common synonym that denotes administrative and leadership functions.

overseers

Emphasizes the role of monitoring and directing activities, similar to "supervisors".

administrators

Focuses on the organizational and managerial aspects of the role, akin to "supervisors".

leaders

Highlights the guidance and direction provided by individuals in charge, comparable to "supervisors".

directors

Indicates a position of authority and responsibility for overseeing operations, akin to "supervisors".

chiefs

Implies a leading role with control and authority, similar in function to "supervisors".

foremen

Specifically refers to supervisors in a manual labor or industrial context, related to "supervisors".

bosses

An informal term for individuals in control, which can replace "supervisors" in casual contexts.

monitors

Focuses on the observational aspect of supervision, related to "supervisors".

coordinators

Highlights the role of organizing and guiding activities, related to "supervisors".

FAQs

How to use "supervisors" in a sentence?

You can use "supervisors" to refer to individuals who oversee a team or process, such as, "The project "supervisors" are responsible for ensuring all deadlines are met."

What's a good alternative to "supervisors"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "supervisors" include "managers", "overseers", or "administrators".

Is it correct to use "supervisors" in a formal setting?

Yes, "supervisors" is appropriate for formal settings, particularly in business or academic contexts where individuals have oversight responsibilities.

What is the difference between "supervisors" and "inspectors"?

"Supervisors" generally oversee ongoing processes or teams, while "inspectors" typically examine completed work or processes to ensure they meet standards.