he was contacted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was contacted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to someone who has received communication from another person or organization, typically in a formal or professional context. Example: "After the meeting, he was contacted by the project manager to discuss the next steps."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

After he was contacted the minister sold his children's stake.

The Guardian

He was contacted by Goldman, UBS and Merrill within hours of the deal's announcement.

The New York Times

One of the lawyers, Jerome Reisman, said he was contacted about two years ago.

The New York Times

He has been at his Falkirk flat since he was contacted by a doctor and tested.

Independent

One of the officials said he was contacted by Senator Clinton directly about her plans.

The New York Times

Then, in 1994, he was contacted by a couple in Malibu who had a leak.

The New York Times - Magazine

Driscoll told how he was contacted before the two suspects went on trial for the murder.

The Guardian

He claims he was duped by people he met in Delhi after he was contacted online.

The Guardian

Within days, he was contacted by dozens of active and retired soldiers.

The New York Times

He believed he was contacted by God and visited by aliens.

The New Yorker

Douglas Stannard was shocked when he was contacted by debt collectors demanding money.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he was contacted", specify who contacted him and the context of the communication for clarity. For example: "He was contacted by the recruiter regarding a job opportunity".

Common error

While grammatically correct, excessive use of passive voice, like "he was contacted", can make writing sound indirect. Consider using active voice for a more direct and engaging style, such as "The recruiter contacted him".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was contacted" functions as a passive construction indicating that the subject received communication from an unspecified actor. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he was contacted" is a common and grammatically correct passive construction used to indicate that someone received communication. According to Ludwig, it is most frequently found in news and media contexts, suggesting a neutral register. When using this phrase, it's beneficial to specify the source and context of the contact for improved clarity. While acceptable, avoid overuse of passive voice for a more direct writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

someone got in touch with him

Highlights the action of someone initiating contact.

he was reached

A more concise way of saying communication was established.

he received a message

Focuses on the receipt of a message, which could be through various channels.

he was approached

Focuses on the act of someone coming to him with a request or offer.

he heard from someone

Emphasizes the source of the communication.

he was notified

Implies a formal or official communication.

a communication was sent to him

Formal and emphasizes the act of sending the communication.

he was informed

Highlights the imparting of information.

he got a call

Specifies the communication method as a phone call.

he was alerted

Suggests a warning or urgent communication.

FAQs

What does "he was contacted" mean?

The phrase "he was contacted" means that someone initiated communication with him. This could be via phone, email, in person, or any other method of communication.

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

You can use alternatives like "someone got in touch with him", "he was reached", or "he received a message" depending on the context.

Is "he was contacted" formal or informal?

The phrase "he was contacted" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but consider options like "he was notified" for higher formality.

How can I improve the clarity of a sentence using "he was contacted"?

To improve clarity, specify who initiated the contact and the reason for the communication. For example, instead of "he was contacted", use "He was contacted by the hiring manager for an interview".