he was administered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was administered" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in medical or formal contexts to indicate that someone has been given a treatment or medication. Example: "After the diagnosis, he was administered the necessary medication to manage his condition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

He was administered the last rites by a priest.

The New York Times - Sports

But then he was administered a computer test that measured his vision and reaction speed.

The Washington Post

Other suspicions have focused on a serum that he was administered in hospital.

The Guardian

There was no chemotherapy, but he was administered a form of 'mustard gas' - useless".

The Guardian - Film

Newberry said the drugs he was administered left him with kidney failure, high blood pressure and violent headaches.

The Washington Post

At some point after receiving the midazolam, he was administered 100 milligrams of the paralytic drug and then an equivalent dosage of potassium chloride.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Yesterday, Dr. McGill said he was administering the tests only because the law required him to do so.

The New York Times

At the 1999 Tour, del Morale finally made it clear that he was administering doping products to riders.

The New York Times - Sports

Baffled, he asked one of the hospital's leading oncologists, Barney Clarkson, to explain exactly how he was administering the MOPP protocol.

The New Yorker

"The accusation in the [1979] Private Eye version of the report was simply that he was administering corporal punishment to these boys which he should not have been doing".

The Guardian

Early news accounts, repeated even recently, said that debris killed Father Judge as he was administering last rites to a firefighter who had been killed by a falling body.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing medical procedures or formal processes, using "he was administered" adds a level of professional distance. Consider using it to maintain objectivity.

Common error

Avoid using "he was administered" in casual conversations. Simpler phrases like "he received" or "he was given" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was administered" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject (he) is the recipient of an action, often involving medical treatment, tests, or other procedures. As confirmed by Ludwig, this is a valid construction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

46%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he was administered" is a grammatically sound passive construction used to convey that an individual received something, particularly a treatment, test, or procedure, often in a formal or medical setting. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid phrase, predominantly found in scientific and news contexts. While appropriate for formal writing, simpler alternatives like "he received" or "he was given" may be more suitable for casual communication. Its frequency of use is common, and being mindful of the context helps to utilize this phrase effectively. Steer clear of overuse in informal scenarios to maintain clarity and avoid sounding overly formal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he received

Emphasizes the act of receiving something, replacing the more formal "administered".

he was given

A more casual alternative, focusing on the act of giving.

he underwent

Highlights the process or experience he went through.

he was treated with

Highlights the method used for treatment.

he was subjected to

Suggests a more forceful or involuntary experience.

he was provided with

Focuses on the act of providing or supplying something.

he experienced

Focuses on the personal encounter with the action.

he was the recipient of

A more formal and emphatic way of saying he received something.

treatment was given to him

Rephrases the sentence to emphasize the treatment itself.

he had

Simplifies the construction, useful in informal contexts.

FAQs

What does "he was administered" mean?

It means that someone received something, typically medication, treatment, or a test. It's often used in medical or formal contexts.

What can I say instead of "he was administered"?

You can use alternatives like "he received", "he was given", or "he underwent" depending on the specific context.

Is "he was administered" formal or informal?

"He was administered" is generally considered a formal phrase. Simpler alternatives are more suitable for informal contexts.

How do I use "he was administered" in a sentence?

Use it when describing a formal process where someone receives something, such as "He was administered the vaccine" or "He was administered a test to assess his abilities".