unsupervised

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "unsupervised" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something or someone is not being monitored or guided by someone else. For example, "The children played outside unsupervised for most of the afternoon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

One day I had unsupervised access to the family PC and, for reasons forgotten, an urge to hear the campy orchestral number from the film Austin Powers.

The Guardian - Music

And then we were alone, unsupervised and not a little apprehensive.

The Guardian - Travel

Although this is a good thing in many ways (an unsupervised government is more likely to commit blunders and excesses) it comes at a price.

The Economist

An official speaks darkly of the possible threat created by countless billions of microchips in devices from cars to household dryers, increasingly networked but largely unsupervised.

The Economist

She pointed out that, since North Korea has torn up its previous 1994 bilateral agreement with America (and much else) by resuming unsupervised nuclear activities, it was going to take much more pressure this time if a deal was to be done, "so that the North Koreans know there is no way out".On March 12th, South Korea's foreign minister signalled a shift in that direction.

The Economist

In a decade or so trolleys moving around hospital corridors unsupervised will just be trolleys, no more meriting special attention than doors that open automatically when someone approaches them.

The Economist

And rules, regulations and bureaucratic fiats abound, many of them conflicting.From political access to obtaining official licences to matters like unsupervised travel, the discrimination in favour of SOEs is always in evidence.

The Economist

Appetites vary, and an acceptable risk for one person allowing children to play unsupervised, for instance might be unthinkable to another.Messrs Blastland and Spiegelhalter wear their learning lightly.

The Economist

In New Jersey, Pew has examined the outcomes for people released unsupervised and for those who encountered parole officers outside the prison gates.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

In 2012 a team at Google led by Dr Ng showed an unsupervised-learning machine millions of YouTube video images.

The Economist

For this reason, a race is on to develop "unsupervised-learning" algorithms, which can learn without the need for human help.There has already been lots of progress.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing processes or activities, clearly state what or who is "unsupervised" to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "unsupervised children" or "unsupervised machine learning".

Common error

Avoid assuming "unsupervised" automatically implies negligence or danger. The context determines whether a lack of supervision is appropriate or problematic.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "unsupervised" primarily functions as a modifier, describing a noun as lacking supervision or oversight. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correct and widely used, often indicating a state of being without direct control or monitoring.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "unsupervised" is a grammatically sound adjective used to describe the absence of oversight, control, or guidance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various domains. Its prevalence is reflected in its common usage, particularly in News & Media and Science, with a neutral register suitable for diverse applications.

When using "unsupervised", remember to clearly define what or who lacks supervision to avoid ambiguity. Context is crucial in determining whether the absence of supervision is positive or negative. Alternatives such as "unmonitored" or "unattended" can provide nuanced variations in meaning, but their interchangeability heavily relies on the specific scenario.

In summary, "unsupervised" is a versatile term with a broad range of applications, provided it is used with precision and contextual awareness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without supervision

Replaces "unsupervised" with a prepositional phrase emphasizing the absence of supervision.

unmonitored

Focuses on the lack of monitoring or tracking.

uncontrolled

Highlights the absence of control or regulation.

unchecked

Emphasizes that something is not being checked or verified.

unregulated

Indicates the absence of rules or regulations.

unguarded

Suggests a lack of protection or defense.

unattended

Focuses on the lack of someone being present to attend to something.

unsupervised environment

Adds the word "environment" to show the concept is applicated in a context.

left to one's own devices

Idiomatic expression indicating freedom to act independently.

self-directed

Highlights the autonomy and independence of action.

FAQs

How can I use "unsupervised" in a sentence?

You can use "unsupervised" to describe situations where there is no monitoring or guidance. For example, "The children were playing "without supervision"" or "The machine learning algorithm uses "unsupervised learning" techniques".

What are some alternatives to "unsupervised"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "unmonitored", "uncontrolled", or "unattended". The best choice depends on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is it always bad for something to be "unsupervised"?

Not necessarily. Whether something being "unsupervised" is positive or negative depends on the situation. For example, "unsupervised learning" in AI can be beneficial, while "unsupervised children" near a busy road can be dangerous.

What's the difference between "unsupervised" and "unmonitored"?

"Unsupervised" implies a lack of guidance or direction, while "unmonitored" suggests a lack of observation or tracking. While similar, "unsupervised" focuses on the absence of a guiding presence, whereas "unmonitored" highlights the absence of surveillance. A playground may be "unsupervised" but patrolled by security making it monitored and safe.