commissioned work

USAGE SUMMARY

"commissioned work" is a correct expression in written English.
You can use it when referring to work that is requested and paid for by a person or company. It could be used in a sentence like this: "I specialize in creating commissioned work for art collectors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Neuromancer was a commissioned work.

The Guardian - Books

The Arts for Transit program commissioned work by Luisa Caldwell.

The New York Times

Is a lot of this work commissioned work?

The New York Times

General Electric, Olivetti and other companies commissioned work from him, but the deals fell through.

The New York Times

The commissioned work on Monday was Mr. Pintscher's "Chute d'Étoiles" ("Falling Stars"), Part 1.

The New York Times - Arts

INO, the mural artist, said there was still room to convey social messages through commissioned work.

The New York Times

She also won the prize for best performance of the newly commissioned work.

Yale University

South Coast Rep and the National Theatre of Great Britain have recently commissioned work.

Columbia University

Recognized as a master American dramatist, Mr. Wilson receives a specially commissioned work of art.

The New York Times

Gifted composers would line up to write a commissioned work for Covent Garden.

The New York Times

Each of the four programs also includes a newly commissioned work.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing creative endeavors, use "commissioned work" to clearly indicate that the project was created under an agreement for payment, as opposed to personal or speculative projects.

Common error

Avoid using "commissioned work" interchangeably with "freelance work". While both involve working independently, "commissioned work" implies a specific request and agreement beforehand, whereas "freelance work" can be more general and not necessarily pre-arranged.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "commissioned work" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase refers to work that is specifically requested and paid for by a client or organization.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Academia

19%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "commissioned work" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase that describes work specifically requested and paid for. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, and the numerous examples provided demonstrate its prevalence across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media and Academia. While alternatives like "contracted project" or "bespoke creation" exist, "commissioned work" clearly communicates the nature of the undertaking. When using the phrase, ensure it aligns with the intended meaning of work created under a formal agreement, distinguishing it from general freelance endeavors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

work for hire

Legally defines that the intellectual property belongs to the commissioner of the work.

contracted project

Focuses on the agreement aspect, emphasizing the formal arrangement for the work.

custom assignment

Emphasizes the unique and tailored nature of the work, indicating it's specifically designed for a particular client or purpose.

bespoke creation

Highlights the custom and tailored nature of the work, implying it's made to specific order.

specially ordered piece

Highlights the aspect of ordering something unique and made to specifications.

task by request

Directly indicates the work is done at someone's specific asking.

client-specified deliverable

Emphasizes that the end product is determined by the client's specifications.

procured service

Focuses on the act of obtaining a service through a formal process.

project under agreement

Focuses on the existence of a formal agreement outlining the work to be done.

assigned task

Highlights the act of delegating a specific job or duty.

FAQs

How is "commissioned work" typically used in a sentence?

You'll often find "commissioned work" used to describe art, design, or research projects that are created specifically for a client or organization. For instance, "The museum features several pieces of "commissioned art"."

What are some alternatives to saying "commissioned work"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "contracted project", "bespoke creation", or "work for hire" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "commissioned work" in formal writing?

Yes, "commissioned work" is suitable for formal writing, particularly when discussing business agreements, artistic endeavors, or research projects. It clearly and professionally indicates that the work was specifically requested and paid for.

What's the difference between "commissioned work" and "freelance project"?

"Commissioned work" implies a specific agreement or contract before the work begins, while a "freelance project" might be undertaken independently and then offered to clients. Commissioned work is directly requested; freelance work is proactively offered.