he was made

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'he was made' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that someone was created, appointed, or assigned to a position, task, or job. For example: "The company chose him to be its CEO, so he was made the leader of the organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was made to pay.

The New Yorker

He was made for weekends.

The New Yorker

He was made for this.

The New York Times

He was made a baron.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He was made a peer in 1863.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He was made a marquess in 1907.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He was made a baronet in 1854.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I suppose he was made for it.

The New Yorker

In 1667 he was made a general.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In 1747 he was made a baron.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He was made MBE in 2001.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he was made", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what did the making. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on passive constructions like "he was made". Active voice often creates more direct and engaging sentences. Consider rephrasing to highlight the actor, such as "They made him..."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was made" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject (he) is the recipient of an action. As supported by Ludwig AI, this construction is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he was made" is a versatile and grammatically correct passive construction used to indicate that someone received a certain status or designation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, from formal appointments to more metaphorical creations. While widely accepted, writers should be mindful of overuse and consider active voice alternatives for more direct and engaging prose. Its frequent appearance in sources like Encyclopedia Britannica, The New York Times, and The Guardian confirms its broad applicability and reliability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was appointed

Focuses specifically on being assigned to a role or position.

he was named

Indicates the act of giving someone a title or position.

he was chosen

Similar to selected, but can imply a more deliberate or special choice.

he was selected

Suggests a choice from a larger group.

he was designated

Highlights the act of formally choosing someone for a particular purpose.

he was elected

Implies a selection through a voting process.

he was promoted

Suggests advancement to a higher position.

he was created

Emphasizes the act of being brought into existence or formed.

he was established

Focuses on the act of setting up or founding someone in a role.

he was fashioned

Implies being shaped or formed for a specific purpose, often in a metaphorical sense.

FAQs

How can I use "he was made" in a sentence?

The phrase "he was made" is used to indicate that someone was appointed, created, or transformed into something. For example, "He was made captain of the team" or "he was made a baron by the king".

What are some alternatives to "he was made"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "he was appointed", "he was chosen", or "he was designated".

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "he was made"?

While "he was made" is grammatically correct, using the active voice (e.g., "They made him...") can often create a more direct and engaging sentence. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the actor or the recipient of the action.

What does it mean when someone says "he was made for this"?

The expression "he was made for this" suggests that someone possesses the ideal qualities or skills for a particular task, role, or situation. It implies a natural fit or pre-ordained suitability.