delegated

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "delegated" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used as a verb, meaning to assign or entrust a task or responsibility to another person. For example: "The manager delegated the task of ordering new supplies to the assistant."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

After all, the technical task of meeting the requirements of section 165 of the Dodd-Frank Act as it relates to intermediate holding companies is surely one that could be delegated to lawyers.

The Guardian - Business

One postdoctoral fellow who recently left Oxbridge for a lectureship elsewhere told me his academic mentor "brazenly" delegated her work to him, work which was time-consuming, administrative and an inconvenience to her.

The Guardian

· Supply of important medication delegated to a GP with inadequate understanding of the prescribed drugs who changed dosages and prescriptions without informing specialist services.

The Guardian

And there's Amendment X (1791), for the avoidance of doubt, asserting the principle of subsidiarity that "powers not delegated to the United States by the...Constitution are reserved to the states...or to the people".

The Economist

While he focuses on assembling a coherent civil service in time for the formal handover of power to Iraqis on June 30th, America has delegated the task of selecting a government to Lakhdar Brahimi, the UN's Algerian-born envoy to Iraq.President George Bush has made much of this UN involvement.

The Economist

The army chief, General Anupong Paochinda, has said that a parliamentary dissolution may be the way forward and appeared to distance himself from the botched crackdown, which he reportedly delegated to his hawkish deputy.

The Economist

This is about to change, albeit slightly.For the past decade America has delegated some of its authority over the internet to a non-profit organisation called the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN an arrangement other countries have complained about, both because they have little say in it and because ICANN's management has occasionally proved erratic.

The Economist

But we can all agree, more or less, that we're better off in a society in which there are rules for delegated rule-making that gives all of our reasons more or less equal weight.

The Economist

Otherwise he would not have admitted this week that there was an argument going on.Details have been delegated to the cabinet's domestic affairs committee, which has been given six weeks to reach agreement before MPs return for the new session in November.

The Economist

The last point is debatable in this case, because the city of New London has delegated its power of eminent domain to the NLDC.

The Economist

Now, they see them as partners and have delegated parts of their authority to the private sector.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "delegated", clearly specify who is delegating the task and to whom it is being delegated to ensure clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "delegated" in a way that obscures who is responsible for the delegation, as this can lead to confusion about accountability.

Linguistic Context

The term "delegated" primarily functions as a past participle adjective, often modifying nouns to describe tasks, powers, or responsibilities that have been assigned to someone else. As stated by Ludwig, "delegated" is the past of delegate.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

35%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "delegated" functions as a past participle, frequently employed in professional settings, notably within news and business contexts. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability for describing the assignment of tasks or responsibilities. When using "delegated", ensure clarity by specifying both the delegator and the recipient. While appropriate for formal use, watch for passive voice ambiguity. The prevalence of this term across authoritative sources like The Economist and The Guardian underscores its significance in conveying the transfer of authority.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Assigned

Focuses on the act of allocating a task or duty.

Entrusted

Emphasizes the element of trust and confidence in the transfer of responsibility.

Commissioned

Suggests a formal authorization or instruction to perform a specific task.

Authorized

Highlights the granting of official permission or power to act.

Handed over

Implies a complete transfer of control or responsibility.

Transferred

Focuses on the movement of responsibility from one party to another.

Devolved

Suggests a transfer of power or authority to a lower level.

Referred

Indicates directing someone or something to a specific entity or person.

Passed on

Implies a succession of responsibility.

Subcontracted

Suggests hiring an outside party to perform a specific task.

FAQs

How is "delegated" used in a sentence?

"Delegated" is typically used as the past participle of the verb "delegate", meaning to assign a task or responsibility to someone else. For example, "The manager "assigned" the task to her assistant."

What are some synonyms for "delegated"?

Alternatives for "delegated" include "assigned", "entrusted", or "commissioned", each carrying slightly different nuances.

What's the difference between "delegated" and "relegated"?

"Delegated" implies assigning responsibility, while "relegated" implies demoting or assigning to an inferior position or task. For example, a manager "delegated" tasks to team members, while a struggling product might be "relegated" to a less prominent position.

Is it appropriate to use "delegated" in formal writing?

Yes, "delegated" is suitable for formal writing, particularly in business, legal, and academic contexts. It clearly and professionally conveys the transfer of responsibility or authority.