are consigned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are consigned" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that has been assigned, allocated, or delivered to a particular place or person, often in a formal or legal context. Example: "The goods are consigned to the warehouse for storage until further notice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The most serious evils afflicting the world," Francis told Mr. Scalfari, "are youth unemployment and the solitude to which many elderly people are consigned".

The New York Times

Larger animals are consigned to the hold.

The New York Times

Girls, meanwhile, are consigned to the "Cozy Cutie" shop.

The New York Times

Miniature women are consigned to the Dustbin of History.

The Guardian - Books

The 2014 bull test has 16 bulls from 10 farms are consigned.

Cornell University

Most musical instruments wear out or are consigned to niche markets by design changes.

The Economist

Republicans are consigned to defensive tactics because they lack the votes to pursue their own agenda.

The New York Times

That is possible, but only if the laws criminalising homosexuality are consigned to history.

Independent

Her ashes are consigned to the Weber family plot in the Bohemian National Cemetery in Chicago.

The New York Times

Which are consigned to the bottom and top shelves or the closet?

The New York Times - Books

And promising candidates like Donald Payne are consigned to the shadows.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are consigned", ensure the context clearly indicates the entity doing the consigning and the recipient or destination of the consignment. This clarifies the relationship and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "are consigned" when an active voice would be clearer and more direct. Overuse of the passive voice can make your writing sound weak or evasive. For example, instead of "Mistakes are consigned to footnotes", consider "Historians often relegate mistakes to footnotes."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are consigned" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject is the recipient of an action. Ludwig's examples show it being used to describe states of being assigned, transferred, or relegated.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

28%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are consigned" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction that signifies the act of something being assigned, transferred, or relegated. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely employed across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia. While versatile, it's essential to consider whether a more direct, active voice might enhance clarity in your writing. When choosing alternatives, consider nuances in meaning; phrases like "are assigned", "are relegated", or "are allocated" can offer similar but distinct shades of meaning. With an expert rating of 4.5 and high source quality, "are consigned" stands as a reliable and well-supported element of the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are assigned

Indicates a direct allocation or appointment to a specific role or location; less about negative placement.

are relegated

Implies a demotion or assignment to a lower position or less desirable place.

are allocated

Suggests a distribution or allotment of resources, responsibilities, or spaces.

are subjected

Highlights the experience of undergoing something, often unpleasant or unavoidable.

are doomed

Conveys a sense of inevitable and negative fate or outcome.

are destined

Suggests a predetermined future or purpose, which can be either positive or negative.

are sentenced

Specifically refers to a legal or judicial pronouncement of punishment or fate.

are given over

Emphasizes the act of surrendering or dedicating something or someone to a particular purpose or fate.

are handed down

Focuses on the transmission or inheritance of something, whether it's a tradition, a decision, or a consequence.

are predisposed

Indicates a natural inclination or tendency towards a particular condition or outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "are consigned" in a sentence?

The phrase "are consigned" indicates that something is delivered, transferred, or relegated to a specific place, person, or condition. For example, "Defeated armies are consigned to the history books", or "Goods are consigned to a warehouse".

What's a good alternative to "are consigned"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "are consigned" include phrases like "are assigned", "are relegated", or "are allocated".

Is it always appropriate to use "are consigned" in formal writing?

While "are consigned" is grammatically correct, consider whether a more direct, active voice construction might improve clarity and impact. Overuse of passive voice can weaken your writing. Sometimes it is better to write a sentence with the active voice.

What's the difference between "are consigned" and "are assigned"?

"Are consigned" often implies a more formal or even negative assignment, such as relegating something to a less desirable position. "Are assigned" is more neutral and indicates a general allocation of something.