he was selected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was selected" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone who has been chosen for a specific role, position, or opportunity. Example: "After a rigorous interview process, he was selected to lead the new project team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was selected overwhelmingly.

Independent

He was selected… Hostility bet.

The New Yorker

The good news: He was selected.

The New York Times

He was selected to nine Pro Bowls.

The Washington Post

Four years later, he was selected chairman.

The New York Times

In 2016 he was selected as an Andrew Carnegie Fellow.

Stanford University

He was selected as a Guggenheim fellow in 1987.

The New Yorker

He was selected as the Prohibition party's candidate last July.

The Guardian

He was selected Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1977.

Britannica

He was selected by Minnesota with the 26th pick.

The New York Times - Sports

He was selected as an ESA astronaut in 2009.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a selection process, follow "he was selected" with a prepositional phrase explaining the basis or reason for selection (e.g. "he was selected for his leadership skills").

Common error

While "he was selected" is grammatically sound, avoid overusing passive voice in your writing. Active voice often creates more direct and engaging sentences. Consider rephrasing to highlight the selector: "The committee selected him."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was selected" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject (he) is the recipient of the action (being selected). As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this construction is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he was selected" is a grammatically correct and very common way to indicate that someone has been chosen for a specific role or opportunity. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for use across various contexts, from news reports to academic papers. While often used in the passive voice, consider employing the active voice for more directness. Common alternatives include "he was chosen" and "he was appointed". With a neutral register and widespread presence in authoritative sources, "he was selected" remains a versatile and reliable choice for communicating selection outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was chosen

Emphasizes the act of making a choice from a set of options.

he was picked

Similar to chosen, but can imply a more casual selection process.

he was appointed

Suggests a formal assignment to a role or position.

he was handpicked

Emphasizes that the person was carefully and deliberately chosen.

he was named

Indicates being publicly announced or designated for a role.

he was designated

Implies being officially assigned or marked for a specific purpose.

he was elected

Specifies selection through a voting process.

he was recruited

Suggests active seeking and enlisting for a role or team.

he was admitted

Indicates acceptance into a group, institution, or program.

he was tapped

Suggests a discreet or targeted selection for a specific role.

FAQs

What does "he was selected" mean?

The phrase "he was selected" means that a male individual was chosen from a group of candidates for a specific role, opportunity, or honor.

What are some alternatives to "he was selected"?

You can use alternatives like "he was chosen", "he was appointed", or "he was picked" depending on the context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when saying someone was selected?

While "he was selected" is grammatically correct, using the active voice (e.g. "The team selected him") can make your writing more direct and engaging. Consider the context and desired emphasis when choosing between active and passive voice.

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

You can use "he was selected" to describe someone being chosen for a team, award, or position. For example: "He was selected for the All-Star team" or "He was selected to lead the project".