I contracted him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I contracted him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to hiring someone for a specific job or task, often in a professional or business context. Example: "After reviewing several candidates, I contracted him to handle the marketing campaign for our new product."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

I have calculated that they contracted him for 7.4 minutes of screen time for this entire series.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I was 4 when I contracted polio.

The New York Times - Science

I'm contracted till 2015.

BBC

When a man tells me to smile, I feel like I've been contracted to provide aesthetic entertainment for him -- a contract I never signed.

Huffington Post

I did get him a nice contract up in Portland," he said.

Los Angeles Times

"And I signed a contract with him a couple days later, a contract that I couldn't read, but it was maybe the best contract I ever signed in my life and my career".

The Guardian - Sport

"We had him as a boy of 15 or 16 and I made him sign a long contract twice, so that means I always believed in his qualities".

Independent

I said, 'Take him home.

BMC Public Health

I know this one or that one may leave my office and give an order to have me killed, may already have put out a contract, but I receive him with respect and courtesy -- even those who participated in the coup against me.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I spoke with Jamie Pitman on Friday when I told him his contract would be terminated with immediate effect," said Keyte.

BBC

"A month into my tenure I offered him a contract but he wants to see if there are any other League clubs out there, which is fair enough.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I contracted him" when you specifically want to emphasize that the arrangement was formalized through a contract, rather than a simple agreement.

Common error

Avoid using "I contracted him" in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "I hired him" or "I asked him to do it" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I contracted him" functions as a declarative statement indicating that the speaker has formally hired or engaged someone for a specific task or service, typically under a contract. Ludwig's examples show this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I contracted him" is a phrase used to indicate that you have formally hired someone for a specific task or service, often under a written contract. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English, although it is relatively rare. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts. When choosing to use this phrase, be mindful of the context, as it implies a formal agreement and might not be suitable for informal settings. Remember that alternatives like "I hired him" or "I engaged him" may be more appropriate in casual conversations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I hired him

Direct synonym; replaces 'contracted' with 'hired', implying a direct employment agreement.

I engaged him

Similar to 'hired' but suggests a more formal or professional arrangement.

I employed him

Suggests a more long-term or permanent work arrangement.

I commissioned him

Implies hiring someone for a specific project or task.

I retained him

Suggests keeping someone on call for services when needed.

I secured his services

More formal; emphasizes obtaining someone's professional help.

I signed him

Often used in sports or entertainment contexts, implying a formal agreement.

I took him on

Informal; suggests accepting someone for a task or role.

I enlisted him

Implies getting someone to help with a particular cause or task.

I booked him

Suggests scheduling someone for a specific time or event.

FAQs

What does "I contracted him" mean?

The phrase "I contracted him" means that you formally hired someone, usually through a written agreement or contract, to perform a specific task or service.

What can I say instead of "I contracted him"?

You can use alternatives like "I hired him", "I engaged him", or "I commissioned him" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "I contracted him"?

It's appropriate to use "I contracted him" in formal or business contexts when you want to emphasize that there was a formal agreement in place. This is typically used when referring to professional services or projects.

Is "I contracted him" the same as "I contacted him"?

No, "I contracted him" is different from "I contacted him". "I contacted him" simply means you got in touch with someone. "I contracted him" means you hired someone with a formal agreement. While contacting someone might precede contracting them, they are not interchangeable.