they were supervised

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were supervised" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone was monitored or managed by another person or group during a specific activity or period. Example: "During the experiment, they were supervised by a team of experienced researchers to ensure safety and accuracy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Or they were supervised by the ineffectual and imperious Moore.

The Guardian - Opinion

They were supervised by older ones, like Reni Chlapek, 17. "I learned patience," he said.

The New York Times

I was responsible for seeing that they were supervised, fed and guarded.

The New York Times

Many of them centered on the guards' rules for using force, how they were trained and how they were supervised.

The New York Times

They were supervised by the Securities and Exchange Commission because I.B.M. is audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers. I.B.M.'s global services group will be audited by another accounting firm for the next three years, but as part of the arrangement approved by the S.E.C., PricewaterhouseCoopers will continue to serve as auditor for the rest of I.B.M.

The New York Times

They were supervised by Lauren Levine, the head producer of the Beach House, who is British, and who told me that they were all completely "fagged" because they had been up until three in the morning the night before, "just raging" with two of the New York Rangers, who had dropped by the house — with the Stanley Cup — for the weekend.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

It emerged last week that the ousting of risk managers and sceptics who were convinced the banks they were supervising were flying too close to the sun was by no means solely an American phenomenon.

The Guardian - Business

Although he did not have exact figures for the number of security officials there now or the monks they were supervising, he said it was possible that the security officials outnumbered the monks.

The New York Times

Officials from the Norwegian Nature Inspectorate (NNI) came across the grisly scene when they were supervising hunters.

Science Magazine

Three of the unemployed, wound up being arrested when the real owner clued the police into the fact that they were supervising a heist.

Vice

They booked in fewer patients when they were supervising interns and that made a big difference".

BMC Medical Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were supervised" to clearly indicate that a group or individuals received oversight or direction during an activity. This phrasing is appropriate for formal reports, instructional materials, and descriptive narratives.

Common error

Avoid using "they were supervised" when the context requires a stronger term like "managed" or a weaker term like "observed". Ensure the verb accurately reflects the degree of control or guidance provided.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were supervised" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a group of individuals received oversight or direction. As noted by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

32%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they were supervised" is a common and grammatically correct passive construction used to indicate that a group of individuals received oversight or direction. As affirmed by Ludwig, its versatility allows for usage across various contexts, from scientific studies to news reports. While related phrases like "they were overseen" or "they were monitored" offer nuanced alternatives, "they were supervised" remains a straightforward and effective way to communicate the concept of oversight.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were overseen

Focuses on general oversight or management.

they were monitored

Implies a closer watch, often for specific purposes or compliance.

they were guided

Suggests direction and assistance were provided.

they were managed

Indicates administrative control and responsibility.

they were directed

Highlights instruction and command.

they were controlled

Emphasizes authority and regulation.

they were administered

Suggests formal or official management.

they were guarded

Focuses on protection and security.

they were mentored

Implies a relationship focused on guidance and development.

their activities were overseen

Rephrases the sentence to emphasize the activity being watched rather than the people.

FAQs

How can I use "they were supervised" in a sentence?

This phrase indicates that a group or individuals were under the direction or observation of someone else. For example, "During the experiment, "they were supervised" by experienced researchers."

What are some alternatives to "they were supervised"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "they were overseen", "they were monitored", or "they were guided".

Is "they were supervised" formal or informal?

The phrase ""they were supervised"" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, the specific register of the surrounding text will influence the overall tone.

What's the difference between "they were supervised" and "they supervised"?

"They were supervised" indicates a passive role, meaning they received supervision. "They supervised" indicates an active role, meaning they provided supervision to others.