he was awarded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was awarded" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that he has been given something, often recognition or a prize, such as an award. For example, "He was awarded the Nobel Prize for his work in physics in 2019."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In 1961, he was awarded the D.Sc.

Advances in Imaging and Electron Physics

He was awarded the Purple Heart.

The New York Times

He was awarded an OBEin 2011.

Independent

He was awarded The Silver Star.

The New York Times

He was awarded his M.D. in 1978.

The New York Times

He was awarded the Croix de Guerre.

The New York Times

This year, he was awarded an MBE.

Independent

He was awarded a DPhil.

The Guardian

He was awarded $1.5 million.

The New York Times

He was awarded the DFC.

The Guardian

He was awarded a DPhil.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he was awarded", ensure the context clearly indicates the achievement or reason for receiving the award. This provides clarity and enhances the impact of the statement.

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive voice constructions like "he was awarded" when an active voice would be more direct and engaging. For instance, prefer "he won the award" over "he was awarded the award" when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was awarded" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that someone received an award or honor. It shifts the focus from the actor to the recipient of the action. Ludwig provides many examples of its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

22%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he was awarded" is a grammatically sound passive construction that is very commonly used to formally acknowledge the receipt of an award or honor. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across varied authoritative sources, including news, academia, and scientific publications. While correct, it is useful to consider active voice alternatives like "he received" or "he won" for a more direct and impactful statement. Avoiding overuse and ensuring clear context will enhance the effectiveness of this phrase in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he received an award

This alternative is a more direct and active way of stating the same information.

he earned an award

This alternative highlights the deserving nature of receiving the award.

he obtained an award

This alternative emphasizes the achievement and effort involved in getting the award.

he was honored with an award

This emphasizes the recognition and prestige associated with the award.

he was presented with an award

This highlights the act of giving or bestowing the award.

he was the recipient of an award

This alternative is a more formal and slightly indirect way of saying "he was awarded".

he was granted an award

This suggests a formal process of bestowing an award.

an award was conferred upon him

This is a more formal and ceremonial way to express that he received an award.

he came away with an award

This phrase implies success and a positive outcome where an award was given.

he picked up an award

This is a more informal way of saying he received an award.

FAQs

How can I rephrase the sentence "he was awarded"?

You can use alternatives like "he received an award", "he obtained an award", or "he earned an award" to vary your writing.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when describing an award?

While "he was awarded" is grammatically correct, using the active voice such as "he won" or "he received" can often create a more direct and engaging sentence.

What is the difference between "he was awarded" and "he won"?

"He was awarded" is a passive construction, while "he won" is active. The active voice is generally more concise and impactful. For example, you could say "he won the Nobel Prize" instead of "he was awarded the Nobel Prize."

What prepositions are typically used with "awarded"?

When using "awarded", you typically follow it with the object being awarded (e.g., "He was awarded the prize"). You can also use "awarded to" to indicate the recipient (e.g., "The prize was awarded to him").