be tapped for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be tapped for" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone has been selected or chosen for a specific role, task, or opportunity. Example: "After a thorough review of her qualifications, she was tapped for the leadership position in the new project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"If you have to, it can be tapped for college.

The New York Times

Microbes may also be able to be tapped for beneficial uses.

Yale University

Second, the corporate treasury that will be tapped for NBC's bid is Comcast's, not General Electric's.

The New York Times - Sports

Richard Dreyfuss is the latest Hollywood star to be tapped for Kevin Spacey's Old Vic.

The Guardian

He addressed skeptics who contend that Saudi reservoirs cannot be tapped for larger amounts of oil.

The New York Times

Currently, those taxes are unrestricted and can be tapped for any program, depending on budget needs.

The New York Times

Money for the wars is not sitting idle in a Treasury account that can be tapped for other purposes.

The New York Times

Some of the unpublished manuscripts will eventually be tapped for publication as e-books or in paper form.

The New Yorker

One long-standing idea is to create a large wildlife refuge in areas that will eventually be tapped for bitumen.

The Economist

Email accessibility has, they feel, reduced them to just another resource to be tapped for information, an alternative to Google.

The Guardian

Bell made no mention of how telephones could be tapped for use in surveillance or how it could be put to commercial use.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be tapped for" when you want to emphasize that someone is chosen for a specific role or task, often implying a degree of recognition or suitability for that role. It's especially effective when the selection is based on particular skills or qualities.

Common error

While "be tapped for" is widely accepted, avoid overusing it in highly formal documents where more precise or professional language may be preferred. Alternatives like "be selected for" or "be appointed to" might be more appropriate in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be tapped for" functions as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that the subject is the recipient of the action, meaning they are being chosen or selected for something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is both correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

17%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be tapped for" is a commonly used and grammatically correct passive verb phrase that signifies someone being chosen or selected for a particular role or task. As Ludwig AI points out, it's suitable for a range of contexts, including news, science, and general communication. While generally neutral in tone, more formal alternatives like "be selected for" or "be designated to" might be preferred in academic or highly professional settings. It is seen used in publications such as The New York Times, Los Angeles Times and TechCrunch. To enhance your writing, use it when emphasizing the selection process based on specific skills or qualities. However, avoid overusing it in excessively formal contexts to maintain a professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be selected for

Focuses on the act of choosing someone for a particular purpose.

be chosen for

Similar to "be selected for", emphasizing the decision to pick someone.

be designated for

Highlights the official assignment of someone or something to a role.

be picked for

An informal alternative emphasizing the act of choosing.

be appointed to

Implies a formal assignment, often to a position of authority.

be recruited for

Suggests active searching and enlisting for a specific purpose.

be earmarked for

Indicates that something is specifically set aside for a particular use.

be assigned to

Focuses on the act of giving someone a specific task or responsibility.

be utilized for

Emphasizes the use of something for a particular purpose.

be leveraged for

Suggests using something to gain an advantage or achieve a goal.

FAQs

How can I use "be tapped for" in a sentence?

You can use "be tapped for" to indicate that someone has been selected or chosen for a specific role or opportunity. For example, "She was "be tapped for" the leadership position due to her experience".

What's a more formal alternative to "be tapped for"?

In formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "be selected for" or "be appointed to" for a more professional tone.

Is "be tapped for" appropriate for academic writing?

Yes, "be tapped for" is acceptable in academic writing, but ensure it aligns with the overall formality of your piece. In some cases, using "be chosen for" might be a clearer and more direct option.

What does "be tapped for" imply?

"Be tapped for" implies that someone has been chosen for a specific reason, often due to their skills, experience, or suitability for the role. It suggests a deliberate selection process.