he was seconded

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence 'he was seconded' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which someone works temporarily for another organization or company. For example, "John worked for the local council for the past ten years, but he was recently seconded to the mayor's office for a special project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

In 1956 he was seconded to Bangalore to work on a cartography programme.

The Guardian

He was seconded to Project Falcon and acted as Whitehall troubleshooter for the UAE.

The Guardian

He was seconded to the Home Office five years ago as director of corporate development.

The Guardian

He was seconded to the role following his brief tenure as general manager of News International.

The Guardian

In 1967, he was seconded to be the chairman of the Science Research Council.

The Guardian

He was seconded by Mr. Lancman, who said the look "changes the aesthetic of the neighborhood".

The New York Times

At the end, he was seconded for a period with a unit investigating war crimes.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

"He was first-rate.

The New Yorker

He was sixth over all.

The New York Times

He was first reported dead.

The Economist

He was second three times.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, ensure clarity about the original and the temporary assignment to avoid confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "he was seconded" when you actually mean someone received a promotion or a permanent transfer. Secondment implies a temporary assignment, whereas promotion signifies advancement, and transfer indicates a permanent move.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was seconded" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that someone was temporarily assigned or transferred to another position or organization. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples of its usage across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

16%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he was seconded" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed construction used to denote a temporary assignment or transfer of an individual to a different role or organization. Ludwig AI analysis reveals that it is commonly found in news media, academic contexts, and formal communications. When using the phrase, ensure clarity regarding the original position and the temporary assignment to avoid ambiguity. While synonyms like "he was assigned" exist, it's crucial to distinguish secondment from permanent moves or promotions. The phrase's formality allows it to fit seamlessly into various professional and informative contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was assigned

Focuses on the act of being given a task or duty, less specific about the duration or external organization.

he was temporarily reassigned

Highlights the act of reassignment and its temporary nature.

he was transferred temporarily

Emphasizes the temporary nature of the transfer, lacking the implication of external assignment.

he was temporarily placed

Focuses on the temporary placement in a different position or location.

he was detailed

Implies a specific task or assignment, often within a structured organization.

he was deputed

Suggests that someone was assigned to act on behalf of another.

he was loaned

Similar to 'lent out', implying a temporary transfer.

he was lent out

Informal way of saying someone was temporarily given to another organization.

he was dispatched

Suggests sending someone for a specific purpose, often implying urgency or importance.

he was drafted

Suggests an involuntary or compulsory assignment, often in military contexts.

FAQs

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

Use "he was seconded" to indicate that someone is temporarily assigned to another role or organization. For instance, "After working for the company for five years, "he was seconded" to a project in another department".

What's the difference between "he was seconded" and "he was promoted"?

"He was seconded" implies a temporary assignment to a different role or organization, while "he was promoted" means he received a permanent advancement in his career. The first is temporary, the second is permanent.

Are there any synonyms for "he was seconded"?

Yes, depending on the context, you could use phrases like "he was assigned", "he was transferred temporarily", or "he was detailed".

Is "he was seconded" formal or informal?

The phrase "he was seconded" leans towards the formal side, as it often involves official arrangements between organizations. It's suitable for professional and academic contexts.