be headed by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be headed by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate who is in charge or leading a group, organization, or project. Example: "The committee will be headed by the most experienced member to ensure effective decision-making."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It will be headed by a Tamil.

The New York Times

Twenty-nine will be headed by men; four will be headed by women.

The New York Times

That group will be headed by Milton Wessel, 34 yrs.

The New Yorker

"The World Food Program should be headed by an American".

The New York Times

Kellogg USA will continue to be headed by David Mackay.

The New York Times

The BBC seems to be headed by Incurious George.

The Guardian

The inquiry will be headed by prosecutor general Vladimir Ustinov.

The Guardian

The Center of Excellence for Cancer Early Detection will be headed by Dr. Gambhir.

Stanford University

Possibly it would be headed by a former American statesman or senator.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

It was headed by Capt.

The New Yorker

Each division is headed by a commissioner.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be headed by", ensure the subject is well-defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "the committee" or "the team" before stating who will lead it.

Common error

Avoid using "be headed by" when the active voice is more appropriate. For example, instead of "the project will be headed by her", consider "she will head the project" for a more direct and concise statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be headed by" functions as a passive construction indicating who is in charge or responsible for a particular entity, such as a team, department, or project. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically correct and usable phrase. It specifies the leader without emphasizing their direct action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Academia

15%

Science

13%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be headed by" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate leadership or responsibility within an organization or project. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is most frequently found in news and media, academic, and science contexts. When writing, consider the active voice as an alternative for a more direct tone. While similar phrases like "be led by" and "be managed by" exist, "be headed by" maintains a formal tone suitable for various communicative needs. It is essential to define the subject clearly to prevent ambiguity in its usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be led by

A more direct synonym, replacing "headed" with "led".

be managed by

Focuses on the administrative aspect of leadership.

be directed by

Emphasizes the act of giving guidance and instructions.

be supervised by

Implies oversight and control from a superior.

be overseen by

Similar to supervised but suggests a broader scope of responsibility.

report to

Indicates a hierarchical relationship where one is accountable to another.

be in charge of

A more informal way of saying someone is responsible for something.

be governed by

Suggests a formal system or set of rules being administered.

be run by

A more casual alternative emphasizing the operational aspect.

be coordinated by

Highlights the organizational efforts in leading a project or team.

FAQs

How can I use "be headed by" in a sentence?

Use "be headed by" to indicate who is in charge of a team, department, or organization. For example, "The new department will be headed by the senior manager".

What are some alternatives to "be headed by"?

You can use alternatives like "be led by", "be managed by", or "be directed by" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "be headed by" or "lead"?

The choice depends on the context. "Be headed by" is more formal and passive, while "lead" is more direct and active. Use "lead" when you want to emphasize the action of leading, and "be headed by" when you want to focus on the position of leadership.

What does it mean when something "is headed by" someone?

It means that the person is in charge, responsible for, or leading that particular entity, project, or department. This person has the authority and accountability for its operations and success.