be headed by a

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be headed by a" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a group, organization, or project is led or directed by a specific person or entity. Example: "The committee will be headed by a renowned expert in environmental science."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It will be headed by a Tamil.

The New York Times

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

The New York Times

First, the agency would be headed by a single person, the director.

The New York Times

For the time being, Go Daddy will also be headed by a decidedly unflashy chief.

The New York Times

It could be headed by a widely accepted figure like Afghanistan's exiled king.

The New York Times

The new military coalition will have a budget of $30m, and will be headed by a Nigerian general.

Independent

A coalition of opposition parties said a transition government would be headed by a former foreign minister, Roza Otunbayeva.

The New York Times

The senators want the agency to be headed by a board of commissioners, with the director on that board.

The New York Times

Blatter said the executive committee had approved the creation of a new taskforce to be headed by a neutral chairman.

The Guardian - Sport

It will now be headed by a content editor, Simon Angear, who was born, raised and educated in Weston.

The Guardian

The transitional government of Iraq is to be headed by a retired Army lieutenant general, Jay Garner.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be headed by a" when you want to clearly indicate who or what entity is leading or in charge of a particular organization, project, or initiative. It is especially useful when formal authority or leadership is being emphasized.

Common error

Avoid using "lead" when the context requires a more formal designation of authority. While 'lead' can imply guidance and direction, "be headed by a" specifically suggests a formal position of leadership or command.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be headed by a" functions as a passive verb phrase indicating that a subject is under the direction or leadership of a specified person or entity. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

92%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be headed by a" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote leadership or direction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is particularly common in News & Media, with substantial presence in Formal & Business contexts. It serves the purpose of designating authority and is appropriate for neutral to formal registers. For alternative phrasing, consider options such as "be led by a" or "be directed by a". When using this phrase, ensure that it clearly identifies the leader or governing body, avoiding ambiguity in roles or responsibilities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be led by a

Replaces 'headed' with 'led', emphasizing guidance and direction rather than formal authority.

be directed by a

Substitutes 'headed' with 'directed', focusing on the act of giving instructions and managing.

be managed by a

Replaces 'headed' with 'managed', highlighting the responsibility of overseeing and controlling resources or operations.

be overseen by a

Swaps 'headed' for 'overseen', suggesting a supervisory role with broader responsibilities.

be supervised by a

Similar to 'overseen' but with a more hands-on implication, emphasizing direct observation and control.

report to a

Focuses on the hierarchical structure, indicating who receives direction and provides updates.

be chaired by a

Specifically used in the context of meetings or committees, indicating who presides over the proceedings.

be coordinated by a

Emphasizes the role of organizing and synchronizing different elements or activities.

be run by a

An informal alternative to 'be headed', implying control and operation of a system or organization.

be governed by a

Highlights the authority to make decisions and establish policies.

FAQs

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

Use "be headed by a" to indicate that a person or entity is in charge of something. For example, "The project will "be headed by a" senior engineer."

What are some alternatives to "be headed by a"?

Alternatives include "be led by a", "be directed by a", or "be managed by a", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "be headed by a" formal or informal?

"Be headed by a" is generally considered neutral to formal. It is suitable for professional and news contexts.

Which is correct, "be headed by" or "be heading by"?

"Be headed by" is the correct form. "Be heading by" is not grammatically correct in this context.