commissioned to write

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "commissioned to write" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone who has been formally assigned to create a written work, such as an article, book, or piece of music. Example: "The author was commissioned to write a new novel for the publishing house."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

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

The New Yorker

Dave Gorman has been commissioned to write a novel.

The Guardian

Recently, Zhang had been commissioned to write a piece for Marshall's Beijing New Music Ensemble.

The New Yorker

Britten was commissioned to write a work for the dedication ceremony of Coventry Cathedral in England.

The New York Times - Arts

He was commissioned to write songs for Edwin P. Christy's minstrel show.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Bolcom was also commissioned to write works for a number of major orchestras.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Abbott has been commissioned to write a new series, Hit and Miss, which sounds brilliant.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Soon afterward he was commissioned to write a piece for the Boston Symphony.

The New York Times

Saariaho was commissioned to write "L'Amour," and she spent eight years on it.

The New Yorker

Frank and I were commissioned to write a screenplay in five parts, 55 minutes each.

The Guardian - Film

Scott's band is called Sex Bob-omb and Beck was commissioned to write their music.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "commissioned to write", ensure the context clearly indicates that the writing task is assigned formally, often with payment or a contract involved. This phrase is best suited for professional or formal settings.

Common error

Avoid using "commissioned to write" for informal writing requests or tasks. The term implies a level of formality and often a professional agreement, unlike simply "asking someone to write something".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "commissioned to write" functions as a verb phrase indicating that someone has been formally engaged or hired to create a written work. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Encyclopedias

12%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "commissioned to write" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase that describes a formal agreement to produce a written work. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts, but also in encyclopedias and wikis, indicating a neutral to formal register. When using the phrase, ensure that the context aligns with the implication of a professional agreement or task assignment. Remember that alternative phrases like "hired to write" or "contracted to write" may be suitable depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hired to write

Replaces "commissioned" with a more common and direct synonym, indicating a straightforward employment arrangement.

contracted to write

Emphasizes the formal agreement or contract involved in the writing assignment.

assigned to write

Highlights the act of being given a writing task, often within an organization.

tasked with writing

Focuses on the responsibility and duty of completing the writing task.

engaged to write

Implies a formal and professional involvement in the writing project.

retained to write

Suggests an ongoing or recurring relationship for writing services.

authorized to write

Indicates that someone has been given official permission or approval to write something.

selected to write

Highlights the choice or preference for a particular writer.

requested to write

Emphasizes that the writing assignment was initiated by a request.

asked to pen

Uses a more literary or old-fashioned term for writing.

FAQs

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

You can use "commissioned to write" to indicate someone was formally assigned to create a written work. For example, "The author was "commissioned to write" a biography of the famous artist."

What are some alternatives to "commissioned to write"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "hired to write", "contracted to write", or "assigned to write".

Is it more appropriate to use "commissioned to write" or "asked to write"?

"Commissioned to write" implies a formal agreement and payment for the writing service, while "asked to write" is more informal and doesn't necessarily involve compensation.

What is the difference between "commissioned to write" and "authorized to write"?

"Commissioned to write" typically refers to being hired or contracted for a writing task, while "authorized to write" implies having the permission or right to write about a specific topic or on behalf of someone. It's about the authorization to express something in written form.