contract was awarded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contract was awarded" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are discussing the granting of a contract to a party or organization, typically in business or legal settings. Example: "After a thorough evaluation of the proposals, the contract was awarded to the most qualified bidder."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The contract was awarded in July, and the monitoring agreement was completed in mid-September.

The New York Times

(He did, but left before the contract was awarded).

The Economist

The $2.1‐billion contract was awarded in June.

The New York Times

One contract was awarded and renewed a year later.

The New York Times

Afterward, the embassy contract was awarded to a rival security firm.

The New York Times

The contract was awarded through the Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL), part of the US Army Engineer Research & Development Center.

Fuel Cells Bulletin

The contract was awarded two years ago by the Army Field Support Command.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

"We weren't confident [removal] was going to happen until the first contract was awarded," says Elofson.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Before the contract was awarded, USAID overhauled the initiative, stripping out those concrete targets.

The Washington Post

Whether the contract was awarded on a sole source basis or after receipt of competitive offers.

Cornell University

An expensive contract was awarded to the contractors, Bouygues, although there were significant doubts about the project.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "contract was awarded", clearly specify who awarded the contract and to whom. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "contract was awarded" without specifying who awarded it. Ambiguity can arise if the awarding entity is not clearly identified, weakening the statement's impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contract was awarded" functions as a passive construction indicating that a contract has been officially given to a specific party. It is commonly used in contexts where the focus is on the result of the awarding process rather than the actor. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "contract was awarded" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote the official granting of a contract. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and the analysis reveals its prevalence across various contexts, notably News & Media and Wiki sources. While it is generally acceptable, ensure clarity by specifying the awarding entity to avoid ambiguity. For alternatives, "the contract was granted" or "company was selected for the contract" can be used to adjust the formality or emphasis. Paying attention to voice and explicitly stating the awarding entity will enhance the effectiveness of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the contract was granted

Replaces "awarded" with "granted", implying formal approval or permission.

the contract was secured

Emphasizes the effort or competition involved in obtaining the contract.

the contract was assigned

Highlights the act of formally allocating the contract to a specific party.

the tender was won

Focuses on the competitive bidding process and the successful outcome.

the bid was accepted

Stresses the acceptance of a proposal, particularly in a bidding scenario.

a company was selected for the contract

Highlights the selection process and the company that ultimately received the contract.

the contract was given

A more informal substitute with the same core meaning.

the contract was let

Uses the term "let", which is a more formal or technical term for awarding a contract.

the contract was conferred

Implies a degree of prestige or importance attached to the awarding of the contract.

the contract was clinched

Emphasizes the finality and decisiveness of the contract being awarded.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "contract was awarded" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "the contract was granted" or "the contract was let", which are commonly used in official and technical contexts.

What are some alternatives to "contract was awarded" in a news report?

In news reporting, you might use "contract was secured" or "company was selected for the contract" to add emphasis to the competitive aspect or the selection process.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "contract was awarded"?

The phrase "contract was awarded" is in the passive voice. While grammatically correct, using the active voice (e.g., "The city awarded the contract") can make your writing more direct and engaging.

What is the difference between "contract was awarded" and "contract was signed"?

"Contract was awarded" refers to the decision to grant the contract to a specific party, while "contract was signed" indicates that the agreement has been formally executed and is legally binding. The awarding typically precedes the signing.