he was commanded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was commanded" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is instructed or ordered to do something, often in a formal or authoritative manner. Example: "During the meeting, he was commanded to present the findings to the board."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

There is no record of their having met that day, however, and he was commanded to attend upon them each day thereafter until "licensed to the contrary".

Yale University

Popé believed that he was commanded by tribal ancestral spirits (kachinas) to restore traditional native customs, and other villages enthusiastically responded to news of the planned uprising.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Abraham was tested by God when he was commanded to kill his son Isaac, and Job, after a period of affliction and loss, was restored to health and prosperity as a reward for his righteousness.

The New Yorker

When Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon church, received a revelation in about 1831 in which he was commanded by God to break the law and take multiple wives, he at first resisted.

The Guardian

A defector from the Taliban's secret police told a reporter in Quetta, Pakistan, that he was commanded to "find new ways of torture so terrible that the screams will frighten crows from their nests".

The Guardian

One day in obedience class, he was commanded by an inexperienced boy, "Come on, Shadow, sit down!" Shadow looked uncertain for a moment; then he lowered his rear end to the ground and his chest nearly as far down, and began with his front paws to drag himself in that position toward the boy, whimpering as he went.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Promoted to wing commander, from 1972 to 1975 he was commanding officer of No. 6 Squadron at RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland.

Wikipedia

"He was commanding.

The New York Times

Before retiring in 1950, he was commanding.

The New York Times

He was commanding the battle from the Akal Takht.

The Telegraph

By August 1916, as a vice admiral, he was commanding the fleet in the Black Sea.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he was commanded" to convey a sense of authority or formality in the instruction. This phrase is suitable when the subject receives an order from a figure of authority, such as a leader, deity, or institution.

Common error

Avoid using "he was command" as the correct passive form requires the past participle "commanded".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was commanded" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject received an order or instruction. Ludwig examples show its usage in formal contexts such as historical accounts, religious texts, and news reports.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he was commanded" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that someone received an order, according to Ludwig. It's most common in news, academic, and encyclopedic contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When writing, ensure that you use it when you want to express authority and instruction given to someone. Alternatives like "he was ordered" or "he was instructed" offer varying degrees of formality and implication. Remember to avoid subject-verb agreement errors and use the past participle form, Ludwig AI examples confirm this correct usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was ordered

This alternative directly replaces "commanded" with "ordered", implying a slightly less formal or authoritative instruction.

he was instructed

This alternative suggests a more educational or guiding form of direction, rather than a strict order.

he received orders

This rephrasing focuses on the receipt of the command rather than the act of commanding.

he was directed

This implies a general guidance or instruction towards a specific action or path.

he was told to

This is a more informal and direct way of saying he received instructions.

he had to

This expresses obligation or necessity, stemming from an implicit or explicit command.

he was compelled

This indicates a strong sense of obligation or force, suggesting less choice in the matter.

he was required

This emphasizes a formal requirement or regulation that necessitates the action.

he was charged with

This indicates a responsibility or duty assigned to him, implying a formal expectation.

he was given the task

This alternative emphasizes the assignment of a specific duty or objective.

FAQs

How to use "he was commanded" in a sentence?

Use "he was commanded" to indicate that someone received an order or instruction from an authority. For example, "He was commanded to report for duty immediately".

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

You can use alternatives like "he was ordered", "he was instructed", or "he was directed" depending on the specific context and level of formality.

Which is correct, "he was commanded" or "he commanded"?

"He commanded" indicates that he gave the order. "He was commanded" indicates that he received the order. The correct choice depends on who is giving and who is receiving the command.

What's the difference between "he was commanded" and "he was asked"?

"He was asked" implies a request, whereas "he was commanded" implies a direct order from an authority figure. The former suggests choice, while the latter suggests obligation.