he was petitioned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was petitioned" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone has been formally requested or asked to do something, often in a legal or official context. Example: "After much deliberation, he was petitioned by the community to run for local office."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The following year he was petitioned by the noted criminal attorney Clarence Darrow, labour leaders, and others to grant clemency to three of the men convicted of complicity in the Haymarket Riot.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He was petitioned by HMRC over £187,000 in back tax he failed to declare on the estimated £500,000 he earned from his work hacking on behalf of the paper.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Salon.com reported that a 79-year-old McDonald's employee, who had worked for the chain since 1996 earning $7.40 an hour, was fired after his bosses discovered he was petitioning co-workers.

The Guardian

Every day, he's petitioned by broadcasters who hope that O.P.G. will represent them, but he plans to expand the company at a sensible pace.

The New Yorker

Labor Commissioner James McGowan is bound by law to consider the increase, which he has the power to make without consulting the State Legislature, if he is petitioned to do so by low-income state residents.

The New York Times

He is petitioning the N.C.A.A. to allow him to receive money, equipment and apparel from ski endorsements while playing college football.

The New York Times - Sports

He is petitioning the local and federal government, the Environmental Protection Agency and Puerto Rico's Department of Natural Resources to protect the site under the terms of the federal National Wildlife Refuge Improvement Act and the Culebra Conservation and Development Act, which were adopted shortly after the military pulled out.

The New York Times

He is petitioning the Securities & Exchange Commission, on behalf of a group of irate hedge fund managers, to change the rule to count beneficial holders, not the street nominees.

Forbes

Partnering with public.resource.org, he is petitioning the White House to build this central 21st century digital library by scanning content tucked away in places like the National Archives and the Smithsonian Institution.

TechCrunch

I don't care what culture you're from, as Ted Gibson would say, Why do you think he is petitioning for an Oscar for hair?

Huffington Post

There will be painful cuts in the coming months: does he want to be petitioned about each one, earning him responsibility for all of them?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he was petitioned" in formal writing when you want to emphasize the action done to the subject, rather than the subject initiating the action. It adds a layer of objectivity and formality.

Common error

Avoid using "he was petitioned" when the active voice would be clearer and more direct. For example, instead of "he was petitioned by the citizens", consider "the citizens petitioned him" if the citizens' action is the focus.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was petitioned" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject received a formal request. The examples from Ludwig indicate its use in describing formal appeals or requests directed to an individual.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

6%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he was petitioned" is a grammatically correct passive voice construction used to indicate that someone received a formal request. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is valid in written English. Its usage ranges from neutral to formal contexts, frequently appearing in news and encyclopedia articles. When using this phrase, consider whether the active voice might be more direct. Alternatives like "he received a petition" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was approached with a petition

Describes the act of someone coming to him with a petition.

he received a petition

Changes the verb and focuses on the receipt of the petition.

he had a petition submitted to him

Highlights the action of submitting a petition specifically.

a request was made of him

Rephrases using a different verb structure focusing on the act of requesting.

an appeal was made to him

Focuses on the act of appealing to someone for help or action.

a plea was directed to him

Emphasizes the urgent or emotional nature of the request.

he was entreated

Uses a more formal and less common verb for 'requested'.

a demand was placed on him

Indicates a stronger, more forceful request.

he was solicited

Suggests a formal and often persistent request.

a suit was brought to him

Implies a formal or legal appeal.

FAQs

How do I use "he was petitioned" in a sentence?

Use "he was petitioned" when you want to emphasize that someone received a formal request. For example: "After much deliberation, "he was petitioned" by the community to run for local office."

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

Alternatives include "he received a petition", "a request was made of him", or "he was approached with a petition" depending on the context.

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

The passive voice is appropriate when the recipient of the action is more important than the actor. If the actor is important, consider using the active voice such as "The citizens petitioned him."

What is the difference between "he was petitioned" and "he requested"?

"He requested" indicates that he initiated a request. "He was petitioned" means that a request was made to him, indicating he is the recipient of the request.