he was honored

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was honored" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that someone received recognition or respect for their achievements or contributions. Example: "At the award ceremony, he was honored for his outstanding service to the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was honored with a French knighthood.

The New York Times

He was honored a couple of times.

The New York Times

For that he was honored as the game's first star.

The New York Times

In 1909, he was honored with a knighthood.

The New Yorker

Lavin said he was honored by U.C.L.A.'s gesture.

The New York Times

He was honored with the Shorenstein Journalism Award in 2005.

Stanford University

In 1989, he was honored by the Kennedy Center.

The Washington Post

He was honored to then be named President Emeritus.

The New York Times

Last night, he was honored with the Palermo award.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Raines said he was honored by the publisher's trust.

The New York Times

He was honored as a wise man, but he remained outside the halls of power.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he was honored" when you want to emphasize the act of bestowing honor upon someone, often for a specific achievement or contribution. It works well in formal contexts and when describing a public ceremony or recognition.

Common error

Avoid overuse of the passive voice. While "he was honored" is correct, ensure it's the best choice. Sometimes, "they honored him" provides a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was honored" functions as a passive construction, indicating that someone received recognition or respect. As shown in the Ludwig examples, this structure allows focusing on the recipient of the honor rather than the giver. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he was honored" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction to indicate that someone received recognition or respect. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It commonly appears in news, academic, and formal contexts to highlight an individual's accomplishments. While versatile, using the active voice (e.g., "they honored him") can sometimes provide a more direct alternative. The various examples provided highlight the many different ways this phrase can be used to recognize accomplishments and service across many different fields.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was recognized

Highlights the acknowledgment of his achievements or contributions.

he received an honor

Focuses on the act of receiving an honor, rather than being recognized.

he was praised

Focuses on positive remarks and admiration.

he was celebrated

Emphasizes a joyful public acknowledgment of his merits.

he was commended

Highlights formal praise for his actions or qualities.

he was given an award

Highlights the act of receiving an award.

he was lauded

Implies high praise and public commendation.

he was paid tribute

Emphasizes a show of respect and admiration.

he was distinguished

Suggests that he stood out and was recognized for exceptional qualities.

he was decorated

Specifically refers to receiving a decoration, like a medal.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "he was honored" to sound more active?

Consider using active voice constructions such as "they honored him" or "the organization honored him" to create a more direct and impactful sentence.

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

"He was honored" implies respect and recognition, while "he was awarded" specifically means he received an award. The former is broader and may not always involve a physical award.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "he was honored"?

Use "he was honored" when you want to emphasize the act of someone receiving recognition or respect for their achievements, contributions, or service, especially in formal settings or ceremonies.

What are some alternatives to "he was honored" that I can use to vary my writing?

You can use alternatives such as "he was recognized", "he was celebrated", or "he received an honor" to add variety and nuance to your writing.