commissioned to

USAGE SUMMARY

"commissioned to" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to someone being asked or instructed to do a specific task. Example sentence: He was commissioned to paint a portrait of the Queen.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I was commissioned to do it.

Independent

He had been commissioned to produce 24.

The Guardian - Books

Soon, Ms. Sayeg was commissioned to do larger projects.

The New York Times

"Nowhere are we commissioned to reform the externals".

The New Yorker

He's commissioned to write a travel book about Trinidad.

The New Yorker

In 1885, Price was commissioned to lay out Tuxedo Park.

The New Yorker

The architect John L. Petrarca was commissioned to renovate it.

The New York Times

He has now been commissioned to furnish entire houses.

The New York Times - Arts

"I think they could be commissioned to come back.

The New York Times

The survey was commissioned to launch Good Morning Britain's Action!

The Guardian

Last year architects were commissioned to design the museum building.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "commissioned to", ensure the context clearly indicates that someone is being formally asked or instructed to perform a specific task, often involving creative work or a specialized service. For example, "The artist was commissioned to paint a mural."

Common error

Avoid using "commissioned to" in casual contexts where a simpler term like "asked to" or "hired to" would be more appropriate. "Commissioned to" implies a degree of formality and often involves a written agreement or contract.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "commissioned to" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating that someone has been formally instructed or requested to perform a specific task or create something. Ludwig AI validates that it is correct and commonly used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

38%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "commissioned to" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase that signifies a formal instruction or request for someone to perform a specific task, often involving creativity or specialized skills. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is acceptable in written English. While prevalent in News & Media and Science contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for professional and formal communication. When writing, remember that "commissioned to" is best used when the context implies a formal agreement, distinguishing it from simpler alternatives like "asked to" or "hired to". Consider alternatives such as "tasked with", "assigned to", or "contracted to" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tasked with

Focuses on the assignment of a task, differing from "commissioned to" which often implies a formal agreement.

assigned to

Emphasizes the act of being assigned a duty, lacking the creative or bespoke element of "commissioned to".

authorized to

Highlights the permission or authority granted, rather than the creative or specific task aspect of "commissioned to".

contracted to

Stresses the contractual agreement, differing from the broader implications of "commissioned to".

hired to

Focuses on the employment aspect, omitting the potential artistic or creative connotation of "commissioned to".

appointed to

Highlights the act of being formally appointed, rather than being asked to create something specific.

enlisted to

Suggests a call to service or assistance, lacking the specific task orientation of "commissioned to".

requested to

Emphasizes a request rather than a formal instruction, diminishing the authority implied by "commissioned to".

given the task of

More descriptive and less formal than "commissioned to", suitable for less official contexts.

charged with

Implies responsibility and duty, removing the aspect of creativity or specific creation inherent in "commissioned to".

FAQs

How can I use "commissioned to" in a sentence?

Use "commissioned to" when indicating someone has been formally requested or instructed to create or perform something. For example, "The architect was "commissioned to" design the new museum."

What are some alternatives to "commissioned to"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "tasked with", "assigned to", or "contracted to".

Is it appropriate to use "commissioned to" in informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "commissioned to" is more suited for formal or professional contexts. In informal settings, phrases like "asked to" or "hired to" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "commissioned to" and "asked to"?

"Commissioned to" implies a formal agreement or instruction, often involving payment or a contract, whereas "asked to" simply indicates a request without the same level of formality or obligation.