dictated on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dictated on" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly; the correct preposition would be "to" or "by" depending on the context. Example: "The letter was dictated to the secretary."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

The choice of the composite was dictated, on the one hand, by the known bright emission of CdS nanoparticles in the visible range and, on the other hand, by the possibility to grow NPs directly in the solution of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) that forms a solid matrix of nanocomposite after drying.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Quite remarkably, Butler, whose life's work is about nuances, unquestioningly accepts simplistic premises about Zionism dictated, on the one hand, by Arab rejectionists who define Zionism as racism, and, on the other, by Israel's right-wing ideologues.

HuffPost

The pieces were, it now seems, far more often dictated on the run than written in that tower, dictation being the era's more aristocratic, less artisanal method of composition.

The New Yorker

What we do with it, that'll be dictated on Sunday.

The New York Times - Sports

No network format is dictated on the hub network.

Applied Mathematical Modelling

"The Philippines will not be dictated on, whether by the US or China," they said in a statement.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

- Physician "Yes, I learned that I had to be very careful if I was dictating on one patient and switched to another patient.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Today I was reacting a lot rather than being the one that was dictating on my own serve.

The Guardian - Sport

I'm not one of those designers that wants to dictate on how people should wear my designs.

HuffPost

"We believe that Iran clearly dictates on the political process".

The New York Times

John leans down to the guitar mike and shouts: "Don't dictate on them yet, Phil.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "dictated on" in formal writing. Instead, use alternatives such as "dictated by", "based on", or "determined by" for clarity and correctness.

Common error

The phrase "dictated on" often results from confusion with correct prepositional phrases. Ensure you're using the right preposition (e.g., "dictated by" instead of "dictated on") to avoid grammatical errors and improve clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dictated on" functions as a verb phrase with a preposition. However, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI explains, alternatives like "dictated by" or rephrasing are more appropriate.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

44%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "dictated on" appears with some frequency, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. Ludwig AI advises using alternatives like "dictated by", "based on", or rephrasing the sentence. The phrase aims to convey influence or determination, but its incorrectness undermines effective communication. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, it's best to avoid "dictated on" in formal writing. Always opt for grammatically sound alternatives to ensure clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

based on

This alternative provides a general way to say something is derived from or influenced by something else.

determined by

This alternative directly states that something is decided or controlled by a specific factor.

dependent on

This alternative emphasizes the condition of being determined or influenced by something else.

conditional on

This indicates that something will only occur if a certain condition is met.

contingent on

This alternative suggests that the outcome is conditional and relies on a specific event or circumstance.

governed by

This suggests that something is controlled or regulated by a set of rules or principles.

predicated on

This alternative indicates that something is based or founded on a particular condition or assumption.

reliant on

This emphasizes the dependence on a particular resource or condition.

subject to

This indicates that something is vulnerable to or affected by something else.

hinges on

This suggests that the outcome completely depends on a critical point or factor.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "dictate" with a preposition?

The verb "dictate" is typically followed by "to" (when someone is dictating something to someone else) or "by" (when something is dictated by a condition or factor). Using "dictated on" is generally incorrect.

What are some alternatives to "dictated on"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "based on", "determined by", "contingent on", or "dependent on".

Is "dictated on" grammatically correct?

No, "dictated on" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. The correct phrasing usually involves using "dictated by" or rephrasing the sentence to use a different verb.

How can I avoid using "dictated on" in my writing?

Review your sentence structure and identify the intended relationship. If something is being influenced, use "influenced by" or "determined by". If you mean someone is giving instructions, ensure you're using "dictated to".