under my watch

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'under my watch' is correct and usable in written English.
It is generally used as an idiom to mean that something happened 'while one was responsible'. For example, 'I am proud to say that no accidents occurred under my watch.'.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Nor will there be under my watch.

The Guardian - Opinion

And it's not going to happen under my watch.

The New York Times

It's not Liberal Democrat, it won't happen under my watch, it will not happen".

Independent

Ultimately this happened under my watch and the failure to control must fall at my door.

The Guardian - Sport

The economics of this have just fallen faster than any communications breakthrough under my watch".

The New York Times

But I have not had any reports of that happening under my watch".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

"I can offer you my personal commitment, clearly and without reservation, that under my leadership, on my watch, the CIA will not restart a detention and interrogation program," Haspel said.

The Guardian

And yet the beautiful brown cape on this Saxony's shoulders carried the deep past of evolution directly into the present, where I stood with the drake under my arm, watching the leaves whirl away from summer into fall, while the rest of the flock grazed nearby as if this were just another good day to be a duck.

The New York Times

Maybe I'm just being a grumpy control-freak, but: while you're under MY roof, you'll watch MY funny YouTube videos.

The Guardian - Tech

In the morning they came under my flysheet to watch me struggle into waterproofs.

The Guardian - Travel

"From under my desk, I watched a hail of concrete, rock, chips, brick and plaster falling from the upper floors.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "under my watch" to clearly indicate that you are taking responsibility for something that happened during your period of oversight. It is best suited for situations where you want to emphasize your role and accountability.

Common error

Avoid using "under my watch" when you were merely present but had no authority or responsibility. The phrase implies active oversight and control, not just passive observation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under my watch" functions as an idiomatic adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the time period during which someone was in charge or responsible. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and the examples showcase its role in assigning accountability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "under my watch" is a common and grammatically correct idiom used to indicate that something occurred during a period of one's responsibility. Ludwig AI confirms its valid usage. It is frequently found in news and media, as well as formal and business contexts, conveying accountability and oversight. While widely accepted, it's crucial to use the phrase accurately, ensuring the speaker genuinely held a position of responsibility. Alternatives such as "during my tenure" or "while I was in charge" can be used depending on the context. In summary, "under my watch" is a powerful phrase for asserting control or accepting responsibility, appropriate for various professional and formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during my tenure

Replaces "watch" with "tenure", focusing on the period of responsibility.

while I was in charge

Uses a more direct and less idiomatic expression to indicate responsibility.

during my administration

Similar to "tenure" but often used in governmental or organizational contexts.

on my responsibility

Highlights the personal accountability for events.

while I was at the helm

Emphasizes leadership and control during a specific period.

under my supervision

Focuses on the aspect of overseeing and managing activities.

with me in control

Directly states that the speaker was in a position of control.

in my leadership

Highlights the role of leadership during the period in question.

with my oversight

Emphasizes the act of overseeing and ensuring proper function.

during my command

Often used in military or hierarchical organizational settings.

FAQs

How can I use "under my watch" in a sentence?

Use "under my watch" to indicate that something occurred during a period when you were responsible or in charge. For example, "No major incidents occurred "under my watch" when I was the supervisor."

What are some alternatives to saying "under my watch"?

You can use phrases like "during my tenure", "while I was in charge", or "during my administration" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "under my watch" in formal writing?

Yes, "under my watch" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when emphasizing accountability. However, consider alternatives like "during my tenure" for a more professional tone in specific contexts.

What does "under my watch" imply about the speaker's role?

"Under my watch" implies that the speaker had a position of authority, responsibility, or oversight during the period being discussed. It suggests active involvement and accountability for the events that occurred.