commissioned a book

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "commissioned a book" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of hiring someone, typically an author or artist, to create a book or written work. Example: "The publisher commissioned a book on the history of modern art to celebrate the gallery's anniversary."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

So Birkhauser commissioned a book and I gave the publisher access to all of my photos.

The New York Times

As well as showing off his orchids at home, Bateman commissioned a book based on his orchid collection.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A patron of artists and poets, Anne commissioned a Book of Hours that is one of the most beautiful of French manuscripts.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The literary agent Peggy Ramsay read the talk, sent it to the publisher Methuen and they commissioned a book, Being An Actor, which I wrote in three weeks.

The Guardian - Money

Patrick: My editor, Denise Johadtone-Burt, had commissioned a book from Siobhan Dowd, based on a idea Siobhan had talked with her about.

The Guardian

I didn't know how to write a synopsis, so I sent him Adrian Mole's school report, and on the strength of that Geoffrey commissioned a book.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

When I ask Anna Valentine at Orion if she is concerned about commissioning a book about healthy eating from someone without traditional nutritional qualifications, she replies, "Madeleine [ Shaw is a trained nutritional health coach from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Chairman Roger commissioned a vanity book about the family.

Forbes

But Larsson's publisher wasn't happy and commissioned a fourth book from another author.

Huffington Post

However, as a poll commissioned a year ago shows, book piracy draws in an a fairly unique demographic – in this case older women.

TechCrunch

He commissioned a series of books, online displays, and travelling exhibitions, including one that opened last year, in a gallery on the second floor of the National Museum of American History, called "Through the African American Lens".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "commissioned a book", ensure it's clear who is commissioning the work and who is creating it. This clarifies the relationship and purpose behind the book's creation.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by clearly stating who commissioned the book and who authored it. For example, instead of "The book was commissioned", specify "The museum commissioned the author to write the book".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "commissioned a book" typically functions as a verb phrase indicating that someone has initiated and often funded the creation of a book. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. The examples found show this phrase in various contexts, illustrating its versatility.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "commissioned a book" is a grammatically sound and functionally versatile verb phrase used to describe the act of formally arranging for a book to be written, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in news, encyclopedias, and wiki contexts, it conveys a specific intent: that someone has initiated a book project by hiring or contracting an author. While alternatives like "ordered a book" or "contracted for a book" exist, it's essential to maintain clarity regarding the commissioner and author. Overall, the expression is more professional than informal and serves to communicate a planned creation of literature.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ordered a book

Focuses on the act of placing an order for a book, suggesting a more transactional relationship.

contracted for a book

Emphasizes the contractual agreement involved in the book's creation.

requested a book

Highlights the act of making a formal request for the creation of a book.

sponsored a book

Suggests providing financial support for the publication of a book.

authorized a book

Focuses on the act of granting permission or approval for a book to be written.

initiated a book project

Highlights the starting or beginning of a project with a book as a result.

arranged for a book

Focuses on the preparations and planning involved in getting a book written.

had a book written

Implies that someone else wrote the book on behalf of the subject.

procured a book's creation

Highlights the act of acquiring or obtaining the creation of a book.

tasked someone to write a book

Focuses on assigning the responsibility of writing a book to someone.

FAQs

What does "commissioned a book" mean?

To "commission a book" means to formally request and usually pay someone to write a book. It implies an agreement where one party wants a specific book created and hires another party to create it.

What can I say instead of "commissioned a book"?

You can use alternatives like "ordered a book", "contracted for a book", or "requested a book" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the book was commissioned"?

Yes, "the book was commissioned" is grammatically correct, but it's better to specify who commissioned the book for clarity. For example, "The historical society commissioned the book" is more informative.

How is "commissioned a book" different from "published a book"?

"Commissioned a book" refers to the act of ordering the creation of a book, while "published a book" refers to the act of making a book available to the public. A book can be commissioned by one entity and then published by another.