What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
supervise
Example
The teacher will supervise the students during the exam. [supervise: verb]
Example
She was hired to supervise the construction of the new building. [supervised: past tense]
control
Example
The government needs to control the spread of the virus. [control: verb]
Example
He has no control over his temper. [control: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Control is more commonly used than supervise in everyday language. Control is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while supervise is less common and refers specifically to managing people or projects.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between supervise and control?
Both supervise and control can be used in formal or informal contexts. However, control may be perceived as more formal due to its association with authority and power.