he was titled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was titled" is not correct in standard written English.
It is not typically used to convey a clear meaning, as "titled" usually refers to the name of a work or a formal designation rather than a state of being. Example: "He was titled Duke of York after the ceremony."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

He was titled magister, implying that he attended a university and was well-educated.

Wikipedia

At other times he was titled "keeper of the king's ships".

Wikipedia

He was titled "Priest of Wadjet", priest of "the large bull which is at the head of Sṯpt" and of the bull Mrḥw.

Wikipedia

In 1880 he received the job title of curator (variously, of ornithology or of the department of birds); he was titled Curator of Birds from 1886 until his death.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

He's titled his new book "The Trillion-Dollar Meltdown".

The New York Times

To say that Germans and guilt have a special relationship would be to dive into the deep end of platitude, but in von Schirach's case it's difficult not to raise the issue, and not only because he's titled his preface "Guilt".

The New York Times - Books

From the Radisson Hotel downtown, Romney plans a speech he's titled "A Better America Begins Tonight".

Huffington Post

Holmes begins and ends the show with John Mayer's "Stop This Train," which is how he's titled the evening.

Huffington Post

I attended a workshop of comedian Mike Birbiglia's latest material, which he's titled "My Girlfriend's Boyfriend".

Huffington Post

He's titled it his Out of Body Workshop, and I'm typing this as I float ten feet above my self.

Vice

In anticipation for the festival and BNR's decade of dancefloor desctruction, Escor Krist has put together a mix he's titled RETROSPECT X, and it's dark and heavy and crunchy and wild.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "he was titled" in formal writing. Opt for stronger, clearer alternatives like "he held the title of" or "he was named".

Common error

Writers often mistakenly use "titled" to mean "named" or "called". Remember that "titled" usually refers to the name of a work (book, movie) or to a formal designation. Avoid saying "he was titled", and instead use "he was named" or "he held the title of".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was titled" functions as a descriptor, aiming to indicate a formal designation or honorific. However, Ludwig AI marks it as potentially incorrect. Its use implies an action of assigning a title, yet its grammatical structure is not standard.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he was titled" is an uncommon and grammatically questionable expression. While it aims to convey that someone holds a specific title or designation, Ludwig AI identifies it as incorrect. Better alternatives include phrases like "he was named" or "he held the title of", which provide greater clarity and grammatical correctness. The limited usage of "he was titled" is mainly found in News & Media and Wiki sources. It's crucial to opt for stronger, more conventional wording in formal writing to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he held the title of

Replaces "was titled" with a more common and grammatically conventional expression using "held the title".

he was named

Focuses on the act of being given a title or name, rather than possessing it.

he was appointed

Specifies that the title was given through a formal appointment process.

he was designated as

Highlights the act of officially assigning a title or role.

he was known as

Emphasizes the common perception or recognition of the person's title.

he bore the title of

Implies a formal or historical usage of holding a title.

he was granted the title of

Highlights the act of receiving a title as a formal bestowal.

he received the title of

Focuses on the person's acquisition of a title.

he went by the title of

Emphasizes the title used in practice or conversation.

his title was

Shifts the focus to the title itself, rather than the action.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "he was titled"?

Better alternatives include "he was named", "he held the title of", or "he was appointed", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "he was titled"?

According to Ludwig's analysis, the phrase "he was titled" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard written English. It is recommended to use alternative phrases for clarity and correctness.

When can I use the word "titled" correctly?

Use "titled" when referring to the name of a creative work or document, such as "The book is titled 'Pride and Prejudice'" or "The article was titled 'New Developments in AI'.

How does using "he was titled" affect the clarity of my writing?

Using "he was titled" can confuse readers because it is not a common or standard way to express that someone holds a title. Using a phrase like "he was named" or "he held the title of" makes your writing clearer and more easily understood.