designated

USAGE SUMMARY

"designated" is a correctly spelled and usable word in written English.
You can use it as an adjective to mean "specifically appointed or assigned" or as a verb to mean "to assign a task or responsibility to someone". Example sentence: The designated contact person for this project is Jane.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Paul Thomas, a University of Huddersfield professor and the author of studies of Prevent, thinks the list of designated areas will keep growing.

The Guardian

The Civil Contingencies Act 2004 gives Cabinet ministers sweeping powers in designated emergencies including quarantine areas, restricting travel, handing control of essential industries to the army.

The Guardian - Opinion

Downtown Portland, for its part, has even designated special skateboard routes.

The Guardian

"What's my father's email address?" It came back with two email addresses for the person designated in the address book as "father".

The Guardian - Tech

The issue of flags concerns Belfast city council's decision to restrict the flying of the union flag on City Hall to 18 designated days instead of all year.

The Guardian

It is said that the umpires themselves are starting to recognise what is effectively the signature of a team's designated ball polisher.

The Guardian - Sport

Sophisticated satellite mapping has made the task easier by identifying the location and extent of mangrove ecosystems now designated as protected forestland.

The Guardian

At 11 in the morning, I'm standing outside the designated cafe – which is closed – among the inevitable joggers and retired couples on their constitutional and toddlers feeding the swans, when Hegarty comes striding along the boardwalk.

The Guardian - Music

One argument is that the Birmingham schools were not designated faith schools.

The Guardian

All well and good had Winterbottom designated another player, probably a wing-half, to follow Hidegkuti, but he didn't, with the result that Hidegkuti ran riot and scored three goals.

The Guardian - Sport

(If Manus is knocked out on the basis PNG wasn't properly designated, the government will blame Labor for not getting the technical underpinnings right).

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "designated" when you want to emphasize that a person or place has been officially chosen or assigned for a specific purpose. It adds a formal and authoritative tone to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "designated" when you mean "destined". "Designated" implies a deliberate choice or appointment, while "destined" suggests a predetermined outcome. For example, don't say "He was designated to be king" if you mean it was his fate; use "destined" instead.

Linguistic Context

The word "designated" functions primarily as an adjective to describe something that has been officially chosen or assigned for a specific purpose. It also functions as a verb (past participle), indicating the action of assigning or choosing something for a particular role or function. Ludwig examples confirm both usages.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "designated" is a versatile word primarily used as an adjective or a past participle verb, meaning officially chosen or assigned. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across numerous examples. Its usage spans various contexts, from news reports to formal business communications, and scientific documents. While it is grammatically correct and frequently used, it's important to distinguish it from similar words like "destined", which implies a predetermined fate rather than a deliberate choice. This guide provides insights into its usage, related phrases, common errors, and practical writing tips to ensure accurate and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appointed

Indicates a formal selection or assignment to a position or task.

assigned

Emphasizes the allocation of a task or responsibility to someone or something.

specified

Highlights the act of clearly stating or defining something.

selected

Focuses on the act of choosing someone or something from a group.

named

Implies the act of giving a particular name or title.

nominated

Suggests a formal proposal or recommendation for a position or award.

delegated

Highlights the act of entrusting a task or responsibility to another person.

commissioned

Implies a formal request or authorization for someone to carry out a specific task.

ordained

Suggests a formal or ceremonial appointment, often in a religious context.

constituted

Focuses on the act of forming or establishing something officially.

FAQs

How to use "designated" in a sentence?

You can use "designated" to indicate that something has been officially chosen or assigned, such as, "This area is the "designated smoking area"" or "She is the "designated team leader"".

What can I say instead of "designated"?

You can use alternatives like "appointed", "assigned", or "specified" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "designated area" or "designating area"?

"Designated area" is correct when referring to an area that has already been officially chosen or assigned. "Designating area" would be used when describing the act of choosing or assigning an area.

What's the difference between "designated" and "appointed"?

Both "designated" and "appointed" imply assignment or selection, but "designated" often suggests a specific purpose or function, while "appointed" typically refers to being chosen for a position or role.