Oversaw

Oversaw is the simple past tense of the verb oversee, meaning to supervise, manage, or direct the execution of a task, process, or organization. When someone oversaw a project, they were responsible for guiding work, ensuring quality, meeting deadlines, and coordinating resources. The term is used across business, government, science, and journalism.

Origin and form: The verb oversee combines the prefix over- with see, in the sense of perceive or supervise. The form oversaw is the irregular past tense; the past participle is overseen, used in present perfect constructions (has overseen). The contemporary usage retains the sense of active supervision in the past.

Usage notes: Oversaw is transitive and generally requires a direct object, e.g., "The manager oversaw the rollout." In passive voice, it may be featured as "The rollout was overseen by the manager." It is distinct from the noun oversight, which refers to the act of supervising or to an omission in error, and from overseer, the person who supervises.

Examples: "During the crisis, the board oversaw the implementation of new procedures." "Researchers oversaw the data collection to ensure compliance with protocols." In present tense, one would say "oversees."

See also: oversee, overseer, oversight, supervisory.