was supervised

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was supervised" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone was under the oversight or direction of another person or authority in a past context. Example: "During my internship, I was supervised by a senior engineer who guided me through various projects."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This analysis was supervised and approved by PLH.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

All TB treatment was supervised (directly observed therapy).

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Their work was supervised and approved by KCL and AEB.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

It was supervised by adult Communist party work teams.

The Guardian

For his DPhil he was supervised by Bernard Williams, who became a personal friend.

The Guardian

Until the 19th century, the production of new plays was supervised by the playwright and actors.

The Guardian - Opinion

Formally, the project was supervised by the agency's Signals Intelligence Automation Research Center, or SARC.

The New Yorker

The effort to protect installations in this country was supervised by two working groups.

The New York Times

The trial itself was supervised by an outside group, known as a data-monitoring committee.

The New Yorker

The construction was supervised by Sir John Vanbrugh and Nicholas Hawksmoor.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The exquisite interior decoration was supervised by the painter Charles Le Brun.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was supervised", ensure the sentence clearly indicates who provided the supervision and the context in which it occurred. This adds clarity and authority to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "was supervised" without specifying who did the supervising. Ambiguity weakens your statement. Instead of "The project was supervised", write "The project was supervised by the engineering team."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was supervised" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject received oversight or direction. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was supervised" is a versatile and grammatically sound passive verb phrase, indicating that something or someone was under oversight or direction. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is widely used across diverse contexts, including science, news, and encyclopedias. When using "was supervised", it is essential to specify who provided the supervision to avoid ambiguity. Consider related phrases like "was overseen" or "was managed" for slight variations in meaning. This phrase is a valuable tool for conveying authority, quality control, and guidance in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was overseen

Replaces "supervised" with a synonym that emphasizes a broader level of monitoring.

was managed

Indicates a more active role in directing and controlling the activity.

was directed

Suggests a more specific and intentional instruction or guidance.

was monitored

Focuses on the observation and tracking of progress or activity.

was administered

Implies control and management, often in a more formal setting.

was guided

Highlights the aspect of providing assistance and direction.

was controlled

Emphasizes the power and authority in managing the activity.

was regulated

Focuses on ensuring compliance with rules and standards.

was coordinated

Highlights the organization and synchronization of activities.

was presided over

Suggests a formal overseeing role, often in meetings or events.

FAQs

How can I use "was supervised" in a sentence?

You can use "was supervised" to indicate that an activity, person, or project was under the direction or oversight of someone. For example: "The experiment "was supervised" by a senior scientist."

What are some alternatives to "was supervised"?

Alternatives include "was overseen", "was managed", or "was directed" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "was supervised"?

While "was supervised" is in the passive voice, it's often appropriate when the supervisor is less important than the activity itself. However, using the active voice (e.g., "The professor supervised the research") can make your writing more direct and engaging.

How does the formality of "was supervised" compare to similar phrases?

"Was supervised" is generally neutral in tone and suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, phrases like "was presided over" are more formal, while phrases like "was kept an eye on" are more informal.