watch of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "watch of" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is not typically used in standard English, and its intended meaning is unclear without additional context. Example: "I need to check the watch of my friend to see the time."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It's a 24-hour watch, of course.

The New York Times

TAG are the Official Watch of England Rugby  .

Independent

I have watch of the 18 and younger boys.

The New Yorker

There have been failures on Obama's watch, of course.

The New York Times

Both were built under the watch of a Labour government.

The Guardian - Books

You should have a watch of it, it's brilliant.

The Guardian - Sport

"This happened not on the watch of Bernard Hogan-Howe.

The Guardian

He reported to the presidential advance team and worked under the watch of the Secret Service.

The New York Times - Magazine

Two gunmen drove away under the watch of ten security guards.

The Economist

It has been revived under the watch of O.P. Bhatt, who became chairman in 2006.

The Economist

It's the first mechanical watch of its kind to do so.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "watch of" in formal writing. Opt for clearer and more grammatically correct alternatives such as "under the watch of", "monitored by", or "in the care of" depending on the intended meaning.

Common error

Many writers incorrectly use "watch of" when they intend to indicate possession or association. For instance, instead of saying "the watch of John", use "John's watch" or "the watch belonging to John" to ensure grammatical correctness and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "watch of" functions as a prepositional phrase but is often grammatically incomplete. It typically requires additional context to convey a clear meaning, such as "under the watch of". As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase by itself is often considered incorrect.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "watch of" is frequently encountered but often deemed grammatically incorrect in standard English. As Ludwig AI indicates, it typically needs additional context to convey a clear meaning. While frequently used, especially in News & Media and Science contexts, it's crucial to ensure grammatical correctness by using alternatives like "under the "watch of"" or possessive constructions. When aiming for clarity and precision, especially in formal writing, writers should carefully consider and apply the alternatives and best practices outlined above.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during the supervision of

Emphasizes oversight and direction, typically in a professional or educational context.

under the guard of

Emphasizes the protective aspect of watching, implying a safeguarding role.

while being monitored by

Specifies the ongoing process of observation, often in a formal or regulated setting.

under surveillance by

Focuses on the act of being monitored, highlighting the perspective of the subject being watched.

under the leadership of

Highlights the guiding role during a specific period, emphasizing authority.

in the care of

Shifts the focus to responsibility and protection, suggesting a nurturing or custodial role.

during the tenure of

Replaces "watch" with a time-based frame, referring to a period of leadership or oversight.

in the presence of

Indicates being within sight or proximity, often implying observation without direct intervention.

belonging to the watch

Highlights a watch as a possession to someone, implying ownership.

friend's watch

Uses a possessive noun to indicate that a watch belongs to someone.

FAQs

How can I correct the phrase "watch of" in a sentence?

Replace "watch of" with a more appropriate construction such as "under the watch of", "monitored by", or use a possessive form like "[name]'s watch". For example, instead of "the watch of the guards", say "under the "watch of the guards"" or "the guards' watch".

What are some alternatives to "under the watch of"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "supervised by", "overseen by", "monitored by", or "in the care of" as alternatives to "under the "watch of"".

Is "watch of" grammatically correct?

The phrase "watch of" is not typically considered grammatically correct in standard English. It often needs restructuring to convey the intended meaning clearly. Use alternative phrasing such as "under the "watch of"" or a possessive form.

When should I use "watch of" versus other similar phrases?

In most cases, it's better to avoid "watch of" altogether. If you intend to express supervision, use "under the "watch of"". If you mean possession, use "[name]'s watch" or "the watch belonging to [name]".