was supervised by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was supervised by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone was under the guidance or oversight of another person, typically in a professional or academic context. Example: "The research project was supervised by Dr. Smith, who provided valuable insights and direction throughout the study."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was supervised by adult Communist party work teams.

The Guardian

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

Encyclopedia Britannica

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

Encyclopedia Britannica

The battle was supervised by indunas, or officers, who used hand signals to direct the regiments.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Their work was supervised by Lenny, but the choices, the details, the invention, were theirs.

The New York Times

Each hundred was grouped into a shire, which was supervised by a shire-reeve.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was supervised by", ensure the sentence structure is clear and unambiguous. The subject of the sentence should be easily identifiable, and the supervisor should be explicitly named or described.

Common error

Avoid assuming "was supervised by" automatically implies endorsement or approval. Supervision simply means oversight; the supervisor's opinion or level of satisfaction isn't inherently communicated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was supervised by" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence received oversight or guidance from someone. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a grammatically sound and common construction in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

29%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Wiki

19%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was supervised by" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive construction that indicates oversight or direction. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is appropriate for a variety of contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific and academic writing. Its primary purpose is to establish accountability and provide context. When using the phrase, ensure the sentence structure is clear and avoid assuming supervision automatically implies approval. Consider alternatives like "was overseen by" or "was managed by" to fine-tune the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was overseen by

Implies a general level of monitoring and direction, similar to the original phrase.

was managed by

Suggests a more direct and active role in controlling the project or task.

was directed by

Emphasizes the provision of instructions and guidance.

was administered by

Suggests a formal or bureaucratic oversight role.

was controlled by

Highlights the element of authority and regulation.

was guided by

Focuses on providing advice and support, rather than strict control.

was mentored by

Implies a close, supportive relationship with a more experienced individual.

was inspected by

Highlights the element of checking for compliance and quality.

was checked by

Similar to 'inspected,' but can also indicate a simpler verification process.

was headed by

Indicates a leadership role, with the person in charge providing supervision.

FAQs

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

You can use "was supervised by" to indicate who provided oversight or direction for a specific task or project. For example, "The construction "was supervised by" a licensed architect".

What are some alternatives to "was supervised by"?

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

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

While "was supervised by" is in the passive voice, using the active voice can sometimes create a more direct and engaging sentence. For example, instead of "The project "was supervised by" the manager", you could say "The manager supervised the project".

What's the difference between "was supervised by" and "was consulted by"?

"Was supervised by" implies ongoing oversight and direction, while "was consulted by" indicates seeking advice or expertise on a specific matter. Supervision involves more comprehensive responsibility, whereas consultation is typically limited to providing input or guidance.