watch over

watch over — 片語動詞

  • watch overbase form
  • watches over3rd person singular
  • watching over-ing form
  • watched overpast simple

1. to stay close to someone or something and make sure they are safe, especially wh

1.片語動詞及物B1
釋義

守護；照料

保護並照顧某人，確保其安全

to stay close to someone or something and make sure they are safe, especially when they are young, sick, or vulnerable and cannot protect themselves

例句

Henrik watched over his younger sister while their parents were at work.

Henrik 在父母上班時負責守護年幼的妹妹。

inseparable phrasal verb: watch over + direct object (someone)

A night-shift nurse watched over the patients in the intensive care unit.

一位值夜班的護士在加護病房裡照料病人。

passive sense of protective care in medical context

同義詞
  • look after

    more informal and general; can include everyday care like feeding and bathing

  • guard

    more active and protective, often used for physical security or valuables

  • protect

    broader in scope; covers defending from danger rather than continuous care

反義詞
  • neglect

    to fail to care for someone properly

文法句型

watch over + someone/something

用法筆記

Frequently used in contexts where the person or thing being watched is unable to look after themselves — children, elderly relatives, patients, or pets.

常見錯誤

❌She watched over after her brother.
✅She watched over her brother.
💡'watch over' is a transitive phrasal verb that takes a direct object without a preposition.
❌He watched over the children careful.
✅He watched over the children carefully.
💡The adverb modifies the verb phrase and needs the -ly form.

2. to be responsible for a process, project, or group of workers and make sure ever

2.片語動詞及物B2
釋義

監督；督導

負責管理或指導工作進程

to be responsible for a process, project, or group of workers and make sure everything is done correctly and efficiently

例句

A senior engineer watched over the installation of the solar panels at the school.

一位資深工程師監督學校太陽能板的安裝工程。

supervisory oversight of a technical process

Professor Esme watched over her students' research with great attention to detail.

Esme 教授以非常嚴謹的態度督導學生的研究工作。

academic supervision of research work

同義詞
  • supervise

    more direct and common in modern workplace language

  • oversee

    very similar in meaning; slightly more formal

  • manage

    broader, covering planning and decision-making as well as supervision

文法句型

watch over + someone/something (as supervisor)

用法筆記

This sense carries a formal tone and is more common in professional, managerial, or institutional contexts. Distinguish from sense 1: here the focus is on ensuring correct procedures and outcomes, not on physical protection.

常見錯誤

❌The manager watched over at the team.
✅The manager watched over the team.
💡'watch over' takes a direct object; no preposition is needed between the verb and the object.