under guardianship

USAGE SUMMARY

"under guardianship" is a correct and common phrase in written English.
It is typically used when referring to someone who is under the legal protection and care of a guardian. This could be a minor child whose parents have passed away or are unable to care for them, or an adult who has been deemed mentally or physically incapable of making their own decisions. Here is an example sentence: "After his parents' tragic death, the young boy was placed under the guardianship of his aunt and uncle."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

"Once you are under guardianship, that's it.

The New York Times

Albert was taken into care when his mother Lily was placed under guardianship under the Mental Health Act.

The Guardian

A federal judge struck down a state law that prohibits mentally ill people under guardianship from voting.

The New York Times

In 1981, shortly after her divorce, her brother, J. K. Lilly III, had her fortune put under guardianship, and her philanthropy was thereafter overseen by a lawyer.

The New York Times

About 18 bar voting by people under guardianship or who are "non compos mentis" ("not master of one's own mind"), a determination that is often not clearly defined.

The New York Times

In Missouri, advocates for the mentally ill have sued the state, trying to make it easier for people under guardianship for mental incapacity to vote.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Some states don't allow adults living under guardianship--as many intellectually disabled people do--to vote.

Vice

She was declared temporarily insane and placed under the guardianship of her brother Charles.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The children will remain under the guardianship of their grandmother Katherine Jackson and their cousin TJ Jackson.

Independent

"There are benefits to placing it under the guardianship of a university".

The New York Times - Arts

Scott Morrison: When they're in Australia they're under our guardianship.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use “under guardianship” to precisely indicate that someone is subject to a legal arrangement where another person is appointed to make decisions on their behalf because they lack the capacity to do so themselves.

Common error

Avoid using "under guardianship" when simply referring to someone being cared for by family or friends without a formal legal arrangement. Guardianship has specific legal implications that must be present for the term to be accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under guardianship" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun, often indicating the state or condition of being legally protected and cared for by a guardian. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in legal and social contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

27%

Encyclopedias

16%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "under guardianship" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to describe the state of being legally protected and cared for by a guardian. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. It appears most frequently in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts, indicating a formal or neutral register. Alternatives include "in the care of a guardian" or "subject to guardianship". When using this phrase, it's important to specify who the guardian is and what authority they possess. Remember that it refers to a specific legal arrangement, not just informal care. Top authoritative sources include The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the care of a guardian

This alternative highlights the act of being cared for by a legally appointed guardian.

subject to guardianship

This alternative emphasizes the legal subjection to the rules and authority of a guardian.

legally protected by a guardian

This alternative stresses the legal protection aspect provided by a guardian.

in the custody of a guardian

This alternative suggests a more physical or direct control by the guardian.

placed under the protection of a guardian

This alternative focuses on the act of placing someone under the guardian's care.

supervised by a legal guardian

This option emphasizes the supervisory role of the guardian.

under the authority of a guardian

Here, the focus is on the legal authority that the guardian possesses.

subject to a conservatorship

This alternative uses a different legal term, 'conservatorship', which is closely related to guardianship, often used when managing an adult's affairs.

under someone's custodianship

This alternative focuses on the role as custodian, implying both care and legal responsibility.

in wardship

This alternative uses the term 'wardship', a formal term for legal guardianship, often implying state care.

FAQs

How is "under guardianship" used in a sentence?

The phrase "under guardianship" indicates that a person is legally protected and managed by a court-appointed guardian. For example, "The child was placed "under guardianship" of their grandparents after their parents passed away".

What are some alternatives to saying "under guardianship"?

You can use alternatives like "in the care of a guardian", "subject to guardianship", or "legally protected by a guardian" depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "under guardianship" and "in foster care"?

"Under guardianship" generally refers to a legal arrangement where a specific individual is appointed to care for someone, whereas "in foster care" usually indicates that a child is in the care of a state-licensed family or institution, with the state having legal custody.

Who typically needs to be "under guardianship"?

Individuals who are minors without parents able to care for them or adults who have been legally determined to lack the capacity to make their own decisions due to disability, illness, or other reasons often need to be "under guardianship".