watch over sheep

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "watch over sheep" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to caring for or supervising sheep, often in agricultural or pastoral settings. Example: "The shepherd's job is to watch over sheep and ensure their safety from predators."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Black basalt steeples watch over sheep tracks, a labyrinth of alleyways that pick their way between convulsing rock formations, scorched earth where there were once green meadows.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Anne watch over me".

The New Yorker

— to watch over sweet little Shirley Temple.

The New Yorker

The sheep flock was watched over by both father and son.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

In the unforgiving heat of the day, he watched over the sheep grazing on the hillside near Bethlehem and ran his hand along the strings of his lyre.

Princeton University

KANAI, Afghanistan - Abdullah, a black-turbaned shepherd, said he was watching over his sheep one night in early February when he heard a plane pass low overhead three times.

The New York Times

As a matter of fact, the sheepdog is watching over a sheep that is also in the field, just out of the subject's sight.

SEP

On the slopes of Kilham Hill are the remains of a shieling, which provided shelter for shepherds watching over the sheep as they grazed.

Wikipedia

Cattle and sheep, the stars of this rural show, are watched over by attentive owners who act as beauticians, currycombing and hairspraying their charges.

The Guardian

Australia and New Zealand have large, open expanses of land that can hold a lot of sheep and require few sheep herders to watch over them.

Vice

She watches over them like a Border collie over sheep.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "watch over sheep" when you want to convey the idea of providing care, supervision, and protection to sheep, especially in a pastoral or agricultural context. It suggests a sense of responsibility and vigilance.

Common error

Avoid using "watch over sheep" if you only mean a brief glance or observation. This phrase implies a sustained effort of care and protection, not just a fleeting moment of attention.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "watch over sheep" is that of a verb phrase acting as a description of an activity. This activity denotes the act of supervising and protecting sheep. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through the provided examples, which showcase the phrase in similar contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "watch over sheep" is a grammatically sound and understandable expression that signifies providing care, supervision, and protection to sheep. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's typically used in contexts related to animal husbandry, farming, or pastoral settings. While not extremely common, the phrase appears in various sources, including News & Media, Science and Wiki. When using "watch over sheep", ensure that the context accurately reflects the sustained effort of care implied by the phrase. If you're just referring to a fleeting glance, consider using alternative phrases. If needed, phrases like "tend to sheep", "guard sheep" or "shepherd sheep" might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tend to sheep

Focuses on the act of caring for sheep, emphasizing nurturing and maintenance.

guard sheep

Highlights the protective aspect, guarding against harm or danger.

shepherd sheep

Implies guiding and leading the sheep, often in a pastoral setting.

keep sheep safe

Emphasizes the safety and well-being of the sheep.

oversee sheep

Suggests a more managerial role in the care of sheep.

supervise sheep

Similar to oversee, but can also imply a more direct level of involvement.

protect sheep

Focuses solely on shielding the sheep from threats.

look after sheep

A more general term for caring for sheep's needs.

mind the sheep

A more informal way of saying to watch over sheep.

keep watch on sheep

Implies vigilance and monitoring of the sheep.

FAQs

What does "watch over sheep" mean?

The phrase "watch over sheep" means to protect, guard, and care for sheep, often in a pastoral setting. It implies responsibility for their well-being and safety.

What can I say instead of "watch over sheep"?

You can use alternatives like "tend to sheep", "guard sheep", or "shepherd sheep" depending on the specific context.

Is "watch over sheep" an idiom?

While "watch over" is a common phrasal verb, "watch over sheep" is a literal application of that verb, rather than a fixed idiomatic expression. It describes the act of supervising sheep.

How can I use "watch over sheep" in a sentence?

Example: "The shepherd's main responsibility is to "watch over sheep" and protect them from predators."