he was presented with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was presented with" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when describing how someone was given something as a gift or reward. For example, "He was presented with a medal of honor for his service in the military."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Belatedly, he was presented with his gifts for Durga Puja.

The New Yorker

He was presented with the award by Stephen Daldry.

Independent

He was presented with the Spanish Fine Arts Gold Medal in 1994.

The New York Times - Books

He was presented with signings which included Darren Bent, Younes Kaboul and Kevin-Prince Boateng.

The Guardian - Sport

He was presented with the 1992 "Connecticut Arts Award" by the Connecticut Commission on the Arts.

The New York Times

Instead, he was presented with the Distinguished Service Cross, the Army's second-highest citation for bravery.

The New York Times

When his contract was up he was presented with another one - salary $750 a week.

The New Yorker

He was presented with his award by Jon Snow, the respected Channel 4 journalist and anchorman.

The Guardian

He was presented with his death certificate on the sofa afterwards".

The New York Times - Books

At the World Rugby awards after the final, he was presented with a replacement medal.

The Guardian - Opinion

He kept it on even as he was presented with the highest award of French culture.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he was presented with" when you want to emphasize the act of formally giving something to someone, such as an award, gift, or opportunity. Ensure the context aligns with a somewhat ceremonious or official presentation.

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive voice. While "he was presented with" is grammatically correct, actively stating who presented the item adds clarity and strength to your writing. For example, instead of "He was presented with the award", write "The president presented him with the award".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was presented with" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject received something. Ludwig examples confirm its use in describing the receipt of awards, gifts, or opportunities. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

18%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he was presented with" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive construction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for describing the formal act of someone receiving something, particularly an award, gift, or opportunity. While versatile, it’s advisable to consider an active voice for clearer and more impactful writing when appropriate. Predominantly found in News & Media, encyclopedias, and Wiki, it maintains a neutral to formal register. By understanding its nuances and appropriate contexts, writers can effectively use this phrase to convey information clearly and accurately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he received

A direct synonym focusing on the act of getting something.

he was the recipient of

Highlights the person as the receiver of something specific.

he was awarded

Specifically indicates receiving an honor or prize.

he was given

A simpler and more general way to express the act of receiving.

he obtained

Focuses on the act of gaining possession of something.

he was granted

Suggests permission or a formal approval in receiving something.

he came into possession of

A more formal and detailed way of saying he received something.

he secured

Implies effort or competition in getting something.

he was furnished with

Suggests being supplied or equipped with something.

he inherited

Specifically means receiving something as an inheritance.

FAQs

How can I rephrase “he was presented with” to sound more active?

To use a more active voice, you can say phrases such as “he received”, “he was given”, or “the organization awarded him”. For example, instead of saying “He was presented with the award”, you could say “He received the award” or “The organization awarded him the award”.

Is “he was presented by” grammatically correct?

The phrase “he was presented by” is grammatically correct, but its meaning differs from “he was presented with”. While the sentence "He was presented with the award" means that he received the award, the sentence "He was presented by the host" means the host introduced or presented him to the audience. The two constructions have clearly different meanings.

What is a synonym for “"he was presented with"”?

Synonyms include "he received", "he was awarded", or "he was given". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Which is more formal, “"he was presented with"” or “"he received"”?

Generally, “"he was presented with"” carries a slightly more formal tone, suggesting a formal or ceremonial occasion. “"He received"” is more neutral and can be used in a wider variety of contexts.