given an award

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "given an award" is perfectly correct and usable in written English.
You could use it in a sentence such as, "Last year, he was given an award for his exemplary work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Sharp Project, Manchester, was given an award for innovation.

The Guardian - Money

I met her only once, the night she was given an award.

The New York Times

Kurt Warner has been given an award prior to the match.

The Guardian - Sport

PAUL TUDOR JONES II, a hedge-fund manager, was given an award and made a speech.

The New York Times

No one has previously been in space when they were given an award by the Queen.

The Guardian

Once Liza Minnelli, right, has been given an award, can anyone else truly win it?

The New York Times

"No one should be given an award for what I did.

The New York Times - Books

Mr Cole was given an award by the YBF in 2012 and dedicated the "Golden Dolphin" gong to Mr Clarke.

Independent

Art Pope, a North Carolina businessman who sits on Americans for Prosperity's board, also attended and was given an award.

The New York Times

The Nobel committee has given an award to a seventeen-year-old, the youngest Peace Prize laureate ever.

The New Yorker

No wonder another Yahoo commenter suggested that the N.B.E.R. panel be given an award for science fiction.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "given an award", ensure the context clearly specifies who gave the award and why. For example: "She was given an award by the city council for her community service."

Common error

Avoid using "given an award" in contexts where the giver is unclear or unspecified. If the source of the award is important, use an active construction: "The committee gave him an award."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "given an award" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject is the recipient of an award, rather than the giver. Ludwig examples show it's commonly used to report achievements and honors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Wiki

7%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "given an award" is a common and grammatically correct passive construction used to indicate that someone or something has received recognition. As Ludwig examples demonstrate, it frequently appears in news and media contexts, serving to inform about achievements and honors. It is suitable for neutral to formal registers, although more elevated language may be preferred in certain highly formal settings. When using "given an award", ensure clarity by specifying who gave the award and the reason for it. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

received recognition

Focuses on the act of receiving rather than the act of giving the award.

honored with a prize

Uses 'honored' to emphasize the respect associated with the award.

presented with an honor

Highlights the act of presenting the honor.

bestowed an accolade

Uses more formal vocabulary ('bestowed', 'accolade').

awarded a distinction

Replaces "award" with "distinction", indicating a mark of excellence.

recognized for achievement

Shifts the focus to the achievement that led to the award.

conferred an honor

Similar to 'bestowed', but slightly less formal.

acknowledged with a reward

Highlights the acknowledgement and uses "reward" as a synonym for "award".

lauded for their efforts

Focuses on the praise ('lauded') received for the efforts.

decorated for service

Implies a more formal or military context, using "decorated" to suggest high recognition.

FAQs

How is the phrase "given an award" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "given an award" is typically used in the passive voice to indicate that someone or something has received an award. For example: "The film was "given an award" for best cinematography."

What are some alternative ways to express "given an award"?

Alternatives include "received recognition", "honored with a prize", or "presented with an honor", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "given an award" or "received an award"?

Both phrases are correct, but they emphasize different aspects. "Given an award" focuses on the act of awarding, while "received an award" focuses on the act of receiving. The best choice depends on the context.

Can "given an award" be used in all contexts, or are there situations where it's inappropriate?

While generally versatile, "given an award" might be less suitable in very formal contexts, where more elevated language like "bestowed an accolade" could be preferred.